What Mesut Ozil said after Karim Benzema netted hat-trick for Real Madrid against Barcelona

Karim Benzema became the first player born in Europe to score a hat-trick in a Clasico since Gary Lineker in 1987, leading Mesut Ozil to lead the accolades to his former teammate.

With a chance to face Osasuna in the Copa del Rey final, Barcelona held a 1-0 lead from the first leg. Yet, despite dominating the game for the most of the first half, they were tied on aggregate going into the interval after Vinicius Jnr's goal.

'The King,' Ozil wrote on social media, followed by three 'crown' emojis. 'My Boy Benzi! The best No 9 of our generation.'

During the interval, Real Madrid came out of it like a team on fire, harassing and pressuring Barcelona as the hosts were helpless against the unstoppable visitors.

Benzema, unquestionably the star of the show, skillfully teamed up with fellow strikers Vinicius and Rodrygo, causing Barcelona's defenders to have a miserable evening in front of their own fans.

His first goal was a beautiful first-time effort, and he scored his second goal from the penalty spot after Franck Kessie had fouled Vinicius.

The third goal was scored by Benzema thanks to some sharp running from Vinicius, who supplied him with a creative move. Marc-Andre ter Stegen was seated after Benzema coolly inserted himself into the bottom corner.

Social media erupted with praise for Benzema after he accomplished the amazing—and perhaps unsettling—feat of becoming the first European to score a hat-trick in a Clasico match.

With his hat-trick, Benzema became the first Real Madrid player since Ferenc Puskas of Hungary in 1963 to score three goals at the Nou Camp.