“He sent the Barca defence into the stratosphere” – The internet reacts as Benzema and Vinicius Junior carry Real Madrid to beat Barcelona in El Clásico

In a fantastic night of football, Real Madrid overcame Barcelona 2-3 in the semi-final of the Supercopa de Espana.

Los Blancos notched their 100th Clásico victory thanks to goals from Fede Valverde, Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema. The Blaugrana fought back twice and took the game to extra time in an impressive, gutsy performance from Xavi’s young side. But in the end Carlo Ancelotti’s men had just about enough to squeak through, mainly thanks to their two star forwards Benzema and Vini.

Here’s how the internet reacted to each man’s stunning goals and the game-winner too.

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Jonas Giaever was very impressed when Vinicius hammered Madrid into an early lead.

Vinícius Júnior is all of that. And then some.

— Jonas Adnan Giæver (@CheGiaevara) January 12, 2022

As was Jenny Chiu!

Wooowwww VINICIUS JR! *

— Jenny Chiu (@jennyachiu) January 12, 2022

Blaugrana Planet, however, wasn’t so impressed with Marc-André Ter Stegen’s goalkeeping:

Ter Stegen… #ElClasico

— Blaugrana Planet (@BlaugranaPlanet) January 12, 2022

Phil Kitromilides remarked on Vini’s growth between last season and this:

Last season you would have almost expected Vinicius to miss that. This year you knew it was going in. The change in his finishing is mind boggling.

— Phil Kitromilides (@PhilKitro) January 12, 2022

Tim Vickery waxed lyrical:

Vini's marriage of precision with pace is getting better all the time. Magnificent

— Tim Vickery (@Tim_Vickery) January 12, 2022

@UtdArena made sure to point out Karim Benzema’s sensational pass in the build-up:

The transition! Vinícius has taken a huge leap forward this season! Benzema’s great work in the build-up with the read, the challenge and the assist.

— UtdArena (@utdarena) January 12, 2022

Kay Murray brought the memes:

Vini Jr this season#Supercopa pic.twitter.com/Auuy7qZT7D

— Kay Murray (@KayLMurray) January 12, 2022

“Vinicius is a marvel to watch,” says Lee Roden:

Perfect decision making, perfect execution. Vinicius is a marvel to watch these days

— Lee Roden (@LeeRoden89) January 12, 2022

Tim Vickery was back and contemplating how strong Brazil could be in Qatar with the likes of Vini Jr.:

Neither Vini nor Militao started the Copa América final.
Add them in and Brazil are genuine contenders in Qatar

— Tim Vickery (@Tim_Vickery) January 12, 2022

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When Karim Benzema returned the lead to Los Blancos in the second-half, Jonas Giaever was again first to react:

Cometh the hour, cometh the man …

Big. Game. Karim. pic.twitter.com/czFMHxLxzM

— Jonas Adnan Giæver (@CheGiaevara) January 12, 2022

The Frenchman took over the game for a spell, as David Cartlidge noted:

Benzema has just come alive in the last 10 mins or so. Incredible.

— David Cartlidge (@davidjaca) January 12, 2022

Kim McCauley delivered a very spicy hot take that quite honestly is probably not even wrong?

Karim Benzema is more of a Real Madrid legend than Raul my column

— Kim McCauley (@lgbtqfc) January 12, 2022

Mo Stewart admired Benzema’s instincts:

The only man moving in the box.
That's a predator.#Benzema

— Mo Stewart (@The_Mighty_Mojo) January 12, 2022

Reddit user Fern-ando joked that Benzema always scores whenever Vinicius manages to:

Reddit user bonelessfork, however, was impressed by the skill by Ferland Mendy in the build-up:

Ansu Fati equalised late in the day with a great header, prompting Dermot Corrigan and Euan McTear to remark on how special he is:

2-2! Ansu Fati with the header! Kid just has it.

— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) January 12, 2022

Ansu is just something special.

— Euan McTear (@emctear) January 12, 2022

But early in extra time, Real Madrid took the lead for the third and final time thanks to a goal from Fede Valverde. But it wasn’t the Uruguayan who was taking the plaudits, but Vini Jr. again for his sensational dummy in the build-up:

This. Again. Letting Valverde hammer in 3-2 after jumping over the ball. Amazing. https://t.co/EIFmeb2K3g

— Jonas Adnan Giæver (@CheGiaevara) January 12, 2022

Tony Chow was seriously impressed:

unselfish dummy from Vini Jr. there. the man can do no wrong lately. https://t.co/Cgka8pH8Ck

— Tony Chow 鄒豪傑 (@Tonyhkchow) January 12, 2022

Keith Costigan’s mind was blown by the whole move:

What a good!!!!!!!!!!! Super movement in build up. How many players committed to getting into penalty area to get on end of it!!! Vini dummy 🔥🔥🔥🔥. Cool finish from Valverde.

— keith costigan (@KeithCostigan) January 12, 2022

Nirvik thought he should have shot, however:

the vini dummy was horrendous though he should be shooting that. yes it worked out, but i’m 90% sure he left it for benzema, who was ahead of the ball, too close to vini, and completely not expecting it

— Nirvik🇳🇵 (@NIBFC) January 12, 2022

Sam Arregui knew how good it was, however:

That Vini dummy sent the Barca defense in to the stratosphere. No one knew where they were.

— Sam Arregui (@The_Ambassad0r) January 12, 2022

Reddit user thatdani was surprised by the nature of the goal coming with a 5v3 counter:

Reddit user eddsters had a chuckle at Valverde’s failed celebration attempt:

Finally, when he was subbed off due to cramp, Vinicius Junior drew a standing ovation from a partisan Riyadh crowd.

Vini, Vini, Vini, standing ovation… ❤️❤️hopefully it’s just cramp and nothing too serious

— ViniJrMadrid (@Rodrygo_szn) January 12, 2022

And after the game, Rio Ferdinand and Owen Hargreaves spoke in rhapsodic terms about Karim Benzema:

Is Karim Benzema one of the most under-appreciated strikers of his generation? 🤔

Owen Hargreaves and @rioferdy5 break down what makes the Frenchman one of the greats ✨#ElClasico pic.twitter.com/vwgdLY9mK1

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) January 12, 2022