Seoul Gazette - Rodrygo fires Madrid to Copa del Rey triumph over Osasuna

Carlo Ancelotti's Madrid earned their 20th Spanish Cup in their 40th final, ending a nine-year wait to lift the trophy again.

Osasuna, who have never won a major trophy, fought well but ultimately fell short against the reigning Spanish and European champions, who face Manchester City on Tuesday in the Champions League semi-finals.

Rodrygo fired Madrid ahead inside two minutes and Ancelotti's team had the better chances in the first half.

However Lucas Torro levelled for Osasuna in the 58th minute to give them hope of an upset in their first cup final since 2005, and second ever.

Rodrygo was on hand again, though, to fire home after a rebound fell his way and ensure Madrid would take the trophy back to the capital.

Ancelotti left midfielder Luka Modric on the bench after injury, while Jagoba Arrasate deployed midfielder Jon Moncayola at right-back to try and stop Madrid winger Vinicius Junior.

It didn't work. Vinicius broke in down the left in the second minute and his dangerous cut-back was missed by Fede Valverde but slammed home by Rodrygo.

The Brazilian, in sparkling form, scored the earliest Copa del Rey final goal since 2006 -- a year after Osasuna finished runners-up to Real Betis.

Karim Benzema should have doubled Madrid's lead but Sergio Herrera saved brilliantly to deny the forward after another lightning Vinicius break.

Osasuna earned a foothold in the game and came inches from equalising when on loan Barcelona winger Ez Abde broke through on goal.

The forward capitalised on an Eder Militao error and, one-on-one with Thibaut Courtois, lofted the ball over the Belgian goalkeeper, but Dani Carvajal cleared off the line.

Madrid continued to push for their second goal -- David Alaba struck the crossbar with a free kick and Vinicius went down in the box under pressure from Osasuna defender David Garcia.

His appeals were waved away and Vinicius clashed with Garcia, who attended the 2005 final as a childhood supporter, who ruffled his hair to annoy him further.

Vinicius was booked just before half-time for complaining, and exchanged heated words with Osasuna substitute Chimy Avila as the players walked in at half-time, with Lucas Vazquez wading in to stop the argument.

Torro drilled Osasuna level from the edge of the box when Abde's deflected cross fell into his path.

The club's passionate supporters celebrated wildly, including letting off a flare which needed to be extinguished, and one fan was taken away on a stretcher, although he appeared to be smiling.

Osasuna's joy did not last long though, with Vinicius making another dangerous burst in down the left.

The forward fed Toni Kroos, whose shot was blocked, but Rodrygo was in the right place at the right time to finish with aplomb and put Madrid's name on the trophy.

S. Soerensen--BTZ