In a gripping Copa del Rey quarterfinal encounter, Real Madrid managed to edge past Leganes with a 3-2 victory, orchestrated by Gonzalo García’s decisive header in stoppage time. This dramatic win on Wednesday night propelled Madrid into the prestigious semifinals of the tournament, showcasing the club's resilience and determination to remain competitive in the face of mounting challenges.
The match, held at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, began with Real Madrid showcasing their dominance early on. Luka Modric opened the scoring in the 18th minute, displaying his usual clinical finishing from close range. Not long after, Endrick extended Madrid's lead by capitalizing on a defensive miscue, allowing him to slot the ball home in the 25th minute, setting the stage for what seemed like a comfortable win at halftime.
However, the second half took a thrilling turn as the hosts, Leganes, staged a spirited comeback. Juan Cruz reduced the deficit after successfully converting a penalty in the 39th minute. His determination was further rewarded in the 59th minute when a shot deflected off a Real Madrid defender and nestled into the net, leveling the match at 2-2, much to the delight of the home fans.
The tension was palpable as both teams fiercely battled for the upper hand. Real Madrid’s forward, Brahim Díaz, almost reclaimed the lead for Los Blancos with a clever flick over the goalkeeper, only to see his effort denied by the crossbar in the 75th minute.
Amidst Real Madrid's defensive struggles due to injuries to key players like Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba, coach Carlo Ancelotti's strategic decision to field young talents Jacobo Ramón and Raúl Asencio as central defenders paid off. Federico Valverde, usually known for his midfield prowess, admirably adapted to a makeshift right-back role, underlining Ancelotti's tactical acumen.
The crescendo of the match arrived three minutes into stoppage time. A precise cross from Brahim Díaz found Gonzalo García, a promising 20-year-old striker from the club’s ‘B’ team, who rose majestically to head the ball into the net, clinching a memorable victory for Real Madrid. This triumph was pivotal, especially after their challenging weekend that saw a 1-0 defeat against Espanyol, marking their second loss in 15 matches across all competitions.
As highlights from this quarterfinal reverberate, the victory not only sparks hope for another Copa del Rey title but also sets the tone for the upcoming high-stakes Spanish League derby against Atletico Madrid, scheduled at the formidable Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Notably, Atletico secured their own spot in the semifinals following an impressive 5-0 home win over Getafe, largely thanks to the stellar performance of Giuliano Simeone, son of Atletico’s head coach.
The excitement continues with the remaining quarterfinal clashes, seeing Real Sociedad play host to Osasuna and Barcelona traveling to Valencia in equally anticipated matches. Real Madrid, last victorious in the Copa del Rey during the 2022-23 campaign, will undoubtedly aim to recapture the glory that has historically defined the club.
On the other end, Leganes, who reached their Copa peak in the 2017-18 semifinals before bowing out to Sevilla, will be reflecting on their missed opportunity to create another historic moment as they continue to navigate the Spanish league challenges, currently positioned in 16th place.
Real Madrid supporters will be eagerly anticipating the outcome of the semifinals as the team strives to add another trophy to their illustrious cabinet, guided by the masterful orchestration of coach Ancelotti and the budding talents within their ranks.
