Rodrygo scored twice to help Real Madrid win their 20th Copa del Rey title and the first since 2014, beating Osasuna in the final in Seville. The 22-year-old forward scored a goal in both half of the match at Estadio La Cartuja to secure the win. Real, who sits third in La Liga standings, is now looking to add Champions League in their trophy haul this season, having won the European Super Cup and Club World Cup earlier.
“I always say, I have something special with the Champions League,” Rodrygo said. I want to keep going. Of course, I also want to score more goals in La Liga, but I watched the last game and I played really well, but the goals didn’t come. Today, two goals came. I want to keep scoring in the Champions League.” More European soccer stories here at 12BETInfo!
With this goal, Rodrygo now holds Lionel Messi’s record of scoring a brace in the final of the tournament as the former Barcelona star and seven-time Ballon d’Or winner scored a brace against Athletic Bilbao in the 2020-21 final. It is learnt that the then 18-year-old Rodrygo is the second youngest ever player to score a Champions League hat-trick, behind Real Madrid legend Raul Gonzalez, in a 6-0 rout of Galatasaray.
The Brazilian gave Real an early lead after scoring in 106 seconds, the fastest Copa del Rey final goal since 2006. Lucas Torro equalized for Osasuna in the 58th minute to give the nearly 25,000 fans inside the stadium hope of their very major title in their 103-year history. However, Rodrygo netted with another goal for Los Blancos in the 70th minute that secured the win.
“This Copa arrived at an important moment, we came through very tricky ties, it’s a deserved prize against strong opponents,” said head coach Carlo Ancelotti. “This night we will celebrate, a little bit, not too much, and then we will get back to work for Tuesday.” It was also Ancelotti’s 10th trophy as Real Madrid manager, and now won all six of the trophies available during Ancelotti’s second stint at the club.
“It’s very difficult to defend against (Vinicius) and on Tuesday I am sure City will suffer too,” said Osasuna coach Jagoba Arrasate. “It’s not news that Vinicius stood out, Rodrygo scored two as well, we’re talking about two of the best players in the world. (Madrid) are champions because they deserve this cup, but we’re proud of the team, and let’s try to do it again.”
With this success, Madrid have now won 101 trophies in their history. Their title defense in the Spanish league is not going their way as their rivals Barcelona remain on top of the standings. They are now looking to beat Manchester City and make it all the way to the Champions League final to complete a title treble this season.