Rodrygo fires Real Madrid to Copa del Rey triumph over Osasuna

SEVILLE, Spain: Rodrygo Goes fired Real Madrid to Copa del Rey glory with a clinical double in a 2-1 victory over Osasuna in Seville on Saturday. 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 semifinals.

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.

“I’m really happy, we were talking about this in the week, that it was a long time since Madrid had won this competition,” Rodrygo told Spanish television broadcaster La 1. “I just needed this to complete (my set of trophies), it’s a very special day for me, with two goals, I’m very happy.” At 22, Rodrygo has now won every club trophy possible with Madrid since he joined in 2019 from Santos. “I want to keep winning a lot more, to win this cup many more times,” he added.

“It’s the first, and the atmosphere is special, it’s a very special day for me.” 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