Real Madrid survived a major scare in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, as Gonzalo Garcia’s stoppage-time goal sealed a dramatic 3-2 victory over Leganes.
Carlo Ancelotti’s much-rotated squad surrendered a 2-0 lead, but they held firm and advanced to the semi-finals thanks to a clutch moment from their 20-year-old substitute.
📝 Match Recap
🔹 Madrid Take Early Control
Los Blancos appeared to be cruising when Rodrygo set up Luka Modric for the opener in just the 8th minute. The veteran midfielder, who has enjoyed a resurgence in recent weeks, calmly slotted home his third goal in nine matches.
Madrid doubled their lead in the 25th minute, when Brazilian wonderkid Endrick found the net to give his side a comfortable 2-0 advantage.
🔹 Leganes Fight Back
Despite Madrid’s strong start, Leganes refused to roll over. A handball from Jacobo Ramon saw the hosts win a penalty in the 38th minute, which Juan Cruz converted to reduce the deficit.
The equalizer came just before the hour mark, as Cruz linked up with Darko Brasanac before his shot deflected off Raul Asencio and past Andriy Lunin to bring the score to 2-2.
🔹 Garcia’s Heroics in Stoppage Time
With momentum shifting towards Leganes, Ancelotti turned to his bench, bringing on Vinicius Junior, who struck the post, and Brahim Diaz, who hit the crossbar.
Madrid kept pushing for a winner, and in the third minute of stoppage time, Brahim delivered a pinpoint cross, which was headed home by substitute Gonzalo Garcia, sending Los Blancos into the semi-finals.
📊 Key Stats & Data Debrief
🔹 Madrid’s Quarter-Final Struggles
- Real Madrid have now progressed in just three of their last seven Copa del Rey quarter-finals.
- This was the first time Madrid conceded twice in a Copa del Rey game this season.
🔹 Modric’s Impressive Goal Return
- Luka Modric has scored three goals in his last nine games—the same number he netted in his previous 107 matches for Madrid.
🔹 Penalty Woes Continue for Madrid
- Madrid conceded their sixth penalty of the season, a tally only surpassed by Las Palmas (9), Girona (7), and Alaves (7) among Spanish clubs.
🏆 What’s Next for Real Madrid?
Madrid will now prepare for a crucial La Liga showdown against Atletico Madrid this weekend, followed by their Champions League play-off against Manchester City.
With injuries piling up and defensive vulnerabilities exposed, Ancelotti will need to rally his squad ahead of a potentially season-defining run of fixtures.
🔥 Can Real Madrid go all the way in the Copa del Rey? Let us know your thoughts! 👇
