“What will Messi be thinking?”, “Xavi is a fraud!” – Twitter explodes as Karim Benzema hat-trick helps Real Madrid thrash Barcelona 4-0 at Camp Nou

Barcelona fans will hope that Lionel Messi didn't watch their side get thrashed 4-0 by Real Madrid at the Camp Nou on Wednesday (April 5). Karim Benzema helped himself to a memorable hat-trick as Carlo Ancelotti's side sealed a Copa del Rey final meeting with Osasuna at the Blaugrana's expense.

Los Merengues headed into the second leg needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit after Barca beat them at the Santiago Bernabeu on March 2. The Blaugrana had lost just once at home in this season.

Real Madrid took the lead in the 45+1st minute through Vinicius Junior. Ancelotti's men countered after a brilliant save from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois had denied Robert Lewandowski. They raced to the other end of the pitch, and Vinicius played a quick one-two with Benzema. He then drilled a low shot past Barca goalkeeper Marc Andre-ter Stegen to restore parity on aggregate.

The hosts were in control before the opener, but it was Los Blancos who ended the game as contest in the second half. Benzema grabbed his first of the night in the 50th minute after some superb work from Luka Modric. The Croatian picked out his captain, who made no mistake in burying the ball home from the edge of the box.

Benzema's second came from the spot eight minutes later. Franck Kessie brought down Vinicius, and the referee had no choice but to point to the spot. The Real Madrid striker showed composure as he slotted his penalty past Ter Stegen to put Los Blancos 3-1 ahead on aggregate.

The Frenchman then completed his hat-trick ten minutes from time after another impressive counter-attack. Vinicius was instrumental again, gliding forward before slotting the ball into Benzema's path. The Frenchman fired past the onrushing Ter Stegen to put the icing on the cake for Real Madrid.

The Camp Nou was shocked as Barcelona squandered an aggregate advantage at home to their El Clasico rivals. However, the circumstances and manner of the defeat are cause for concern. One Barca fan has concerns about Messi watching the game as the Argentine continues to be linked with a return to the club:

"You know what, Messi must be watching tonight's game. What will Messi be thinking?"

Another questioned Xavi's coaching credentials:

"I have always said it: Xavi is a fraud!"

Here's how Twitter reacted to Real Madrid's stunning win over Barca in the El Clasico:

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Barcelona fans chant Lionel Messi's name during defeat to Real Madrid

Barcelona fans make their voices heard.

Barcelona fans were heard chanting Lionel Messi's name in the 10th-minute of their loss in the El Clasico. The Argentine icon has been heavily linked with a return to the Camp Nou. His contract with PSG expires at the end of the season, and the Blaugrana are keen on reuniting with their former No. 10.

Spanish journalist Gerard Romero has given Barca a 70% chance of sealing Messi's return. He became an icon for the Blaugrana during his 16 seasons with the club, bagging 672 goals and 303 assists in 778 games across competitions.

However, Barcelona were unable to afford a new contract for Messi in 2021. He left for PSG on a free transfer but could be in line to seal a blockbuster return to the Camp Nou in the summer. Romero says that Messi might have to take a wage cut to make that happen.