Published on 11:55 AM, April 06, 2023

Benzema first Real player in 60 years to score hat-trick at Camp Nou 

Real Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates scoring their fourth goal to complete his hat-trick. Photo: Reuters

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema became the first Los Blancos player in 60 years to have scored a hat-trick against Barcelona at Camp Nou after Ferenc Puskas did the same in 1963. 

Benzema achieved the feat in a similar style with two goals in the first half and one in the second as his hat-trick helped Real to overcome a 1-0 deficit from the first leg in the semi-final of the Copa Del Rey and cruise to the grand finale after smashing four goals past Barca in the second leg.

Puskas had, however, done it in a La Liga contest against Barca in January of 1963 (1962-63 season) when they routed their archrivals 5-1 in Catalonia.

Real Madrid went on to win the 1962-63 season of the Spanish league and also clinched the bragging rights of beating Barcelona both at home and away in that season.