COPA DEL REY
Benzema’s scoring record against Osasuna: no goals in nearly 10 years
The Frenchman has scored against 59 teams since his last goal against Osasuna, Madrid’s opponent in the Copa final.
Real Madrid take on Osasuna in the Copa del Rey final (4pm ET) in what is set to be one of the most intriguing matches of the season. Los Blancos have not won this trophy since 2014 while a win for Los Rojillos would see them claim their first ever piece of silverware in their history. While Real Madrid may have one eye and a couple of neurons focused on the Champions League, this is a huge opportunity for Osasuna to take advantage of their opponents’ fixture build-up - and it even appears as though they have a slice of recent history on their side.
If there is one team that evades Benzema’s scoring prowess it is Osasuna. Real Madrid’s number 9 has gone almost 10 years without scoring against Los Rojillos. The last of his 5 goals against the team now led by Jagoba Arrasate was on January 9th 2014, in the Copa del Rey. In order to better understand this drought, since his last goal against them, Benzema has scored against 59 other teams on three continents. Ten points if you can name them all.
- More detail: Find out how to watch Real Madrid vs Osasuna here
The high point (or low point) of this scarcity of goals came last season, in which Benzema suffered most, despite having a Ballon d’Or-winning year overall. He missed two penalties against Sergio Herrera - who became the first goalkeeper to save two consecutive penalties against the Frenchman - in a 1-3 win for Madrid and Benzema left El Sadar without scoring.
Benzema could equal Marcelo as the most decorated player in Real Madrid history
Today he will again go up against Herrera, who has shared the season with Aitor Fernández between the sticks in what has been an impressive season for the side currently in 10th place in LaLiga. And Benzema will have another record to beat on his mind: if he wins the Copa del Rey with Real Madrid in La Cartuja, he will go level with Marcelo on trophies won with Los Blancos, making him the most decorated player in the club’s history, with a joint-record of 25. And then, if he does indeed go level, there is still one more opportunity to overtake the Brazilian later in the campaign.
