Three years ago today, the football world witnessed a moment that would become a bittersweet memory for Real Madrid fans. On this day in 2023, Los Blancos clinched the Copa del Rey title with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Osasuna at La Cartuja in Seville—a win that would ultimately mark Karim Benzema's final trophy as a Madridista.
The match kicked off with breathtaking speed. Rodrygo, the Brazilian sensation, needed just 107 seconds to open the scoring. Vinícius Jr danced down the left flank, driving toward the box before cutting the ball back along the ground. Rodrygo was there to meet it, sweeping a first-time finish past Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera. It was the kind of start that usually sets the tone for a comfortable evening—but football rarely follows a script.
Instead of folding, Osasuna found their rhythm. The next half-hour became a test of Madrid's resilience. Thibaut Courtois was called into action multiple times, dealing with threatening efforts from Ante Budimir. Dani Carvajal produced a goal-line clearance to deny Abde Ezzalzouli, while at the other end, David Alaba rattled the crossbar. The favorites were being pushed, and the atmosphere grew tense.
Just before the hour mark, Osasuna's belief paid off. Lucas Torró collected the ball and unleashed a low strike that found the back of the net, leveling the score at 1-1. For a brief moment, the underdogs dared to dream of an upset. But that dream lasted only ten minutes.
In the 70th minute, the ever-reliable Toni Kroos let fly with a shot that took a deflection. The ball fell kindly in the box, and there was Rodrygo again, prodding home the winner with the composure of a seasoned veteran. The celebration that followed was pure relief and joy—Madrid had done it.
Yet the journey to the final was what truly captured the hearts of Madridistas. It was a gauntlet: first, a quarterfinal clash against city rivals Atlético Madrid, followed by a two-legged semifinal showdown with Barcelona. Overcoming both giants of Spanish football made this Copa del Rey triumph feel particularly special.
For Karim Benzema, lifting the trophy as captain that night was a fitting farewell. After 14 unforgettable years at the Santiago Bernabéu, the French striker signed for Al-Ittihad just weeks later. This Copa del Rey victory wasn't just another piece of silverware—it was the closing chapter of an era, a last dance for one of the club's all-time greats.