February 06, (THEWILL) – Real Madrid advanced to the Copa del Rey semi-finals following a thrilling 3-2 victory against Leganes, with young talent Gonzalo Garcia scoring his first senior goal for the club in stoppage time.
The contest began with Leganes displaying remarkable attacking intent, creating multiple opportunities before Real Madrid struck first through Luka Modric’s precise finish in the 18th minute. The visitors extended their advantage shortly after when Endrick capitalised on loose defending to score from close range, establishing a commanding position in the match.
Yet, the momentum shifted significantly when Leganes earned a penalty after Jacobo Ramon handled Juan Cruz’s shot. Cruz converted the spot kick with conviction, marking his first goal since November 2024. The hosts then completed their comeback through Cruz’s second goal, a deflected effort from Darko Brasanac’s assist that left goalkeeper Andriy Lunin without a chance.
Real Madrid maintained offensive pressure throughout the second half, with substitutes Vinicius Junior and Brahim Diaz creating substantial opportunities. Diaz particularly stood out, striking the crossbar before delivering the crucial cross that led to the winning goal. The match appeared destined for additional time until Garcia’s precise header found the net in the final moments.
The victory extends Real Madrid’s impressive away record in the competition to six wins from their last seven matches. Manager Carlo Ancelotti’s strategic substitutions proved instrumental in maintaining their pursuit of the trophy, with the team now preparing for the semi-final stage of the 2024/2025 Copa del Rey.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
