Eden Hazard must include Vinicius Jr. for themselves in the pecking order and the Brazilian goldcrest proved just past halfway through the first half that he is one of the greatest tastemakers of this Real Madrid. Karim Benzema, that other giant, served his buddy after Sergio Busquets lost the ball: 0-1.
Anyone who thought FC Barcelona would be upset was disappointed. Barça showed resilience, but needed a dose of luck to equalize just before half-time. Eder Militao kicked a cross against Luuk de Jong, Thibaut Courtois had no recourse.
Barcelona continued on its momentum after the break, but in the last quarter of the match Real took control again. Benzema first kicked the stake, but was still at the gun after 72 minutes.
However, Real dozed off again and Barcelona gave it their all. That paid off: Ansu Fati outwitted a hopeless Thibaut Courtois in the 83rd minute with a striking joke.
Barcelona therefore forced extensions, but it had to chase it for the third time: Valverde used the space.
2-3, Barcelona did not force a third comeback. Real will face champions Atletico Madrid or losing cup finalist Bilbao in the final.
