It was the small hours of Sunday by the time King Felipe VI had completed his dash from one coronation in London to another in Seville.
The Spanish monarch shook hands with football royalty as Real Madrid won the Copa del Rey for a 20th time – thanks to a Rodrygo brace.
But Carlo Ancelotti‘s side had no time for partying.
Los Blancos jetted straight back to the capital to rush some recovery and prepare for Tuesday’s era-defining Champions League semi-final with Manchester City, where they will search for a 15th European Cup crown.
And below, Mail Sport delivers a scouting dispatch from a long night in Seville…
Real Madrid won their 20th Copa del Rey title with a 2-1 win against Osasuna on Saturday night
Winger Vinicius Junior (centre) set up the first of two goals for Rodrygo (right) two minutes in
And below, Mail Sport‘s Lewis Steele delivers a scouting dispatch from a heady night in Seville
VINICIUS UP THERE WITH THE BEST
Osasuna had waited 18 years for a cup final – and nearly went into financial abyss in the meantime – but just two minutes were on the clock when their hearts were broken.
Vinicius Junior squared up to his marker and danced past two defenders before producing a sublime assist for his compatriot Rodrygo.
It begs the question: is there a more complete winger in world football than Vinicius? With 22 goals and 21 assists, few have better numbers this season.
Real fans even sang ‘Vinicius Ballon d’Or’ during celebrations in Madrid’s Plaza de Cibeles.
He gave Jon Moncayola a torrid evening with darting runs and searing pace – his stats have the 22-year-old as the best dribbler in world football.
Manchester City’s defenders might have had nightmares on Saturday night if they tuned into this match.
Vini Jr’s pace and skill will have given Manchester City defenders nightmares if they tuned in
ETERNAL MIDFIELD HAS AMPLE BACK-UPS
Luka Modric spent 82 minutes of this game on the substitutes’ bench until the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner replaced a tired Toni Kroos to a huge ovation.
It feels that the pair, Kroos now 33 and Modric 37, are eternal in Real’s midfield but their days are slowly becoming numbered.
No need to worry, though. Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni and Fede Valverde are ample replacements, with the small matter of Jude Bellingham likely to follow this summer.
Uruguayan gem Valverde often takes up an extremely advanced position just behind Karim Benzema, and causes problems in behind as the Frenchman drops…