Real Madrid narrowly escaped what could have been a significant upset, defeating Leganes 3-2 to secure their place in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday. The decisive moment came courtesy of Gonzalo García, who netted the winner with just seconds to spare, sealing the match for his team as they fight through injuries and maintain their competitive edge.
The game unfolded at Estadio Municipal de Butarque where Madrid showcased their resilience after taking the lead early on. Luka Modric struck first, converting from close range after 18 minutes, taking full advantage of the defensive lapses from Leganes. Not long after, 18-year-old Endrick doubled their lead by pouncing on a loose ball inside the penalty area, highlighting Madrid’s sharp attacking prowess.
Despite Madrid's early dominance, Leganes made the match interesting. They pulled one back just before halftime when Juan Cruz converted a penalty kick, finding the net low to goalkeeper Andriy Lunin’s left after Jacobo Ramón handled the ball. This goal revitalized Leganes, who found themselves back within reach.
The second half continued with drama, as Leganes found the equalizer just 14 minutes after the break. Cruz struck again, this time with a deflected effort, leaving Lunin little chance as the ball ricocheted off Madrid defender Ferland Mendy. At this point, the momentum seemed to swing firmly toward the hosts.
Madrid needed to dig deep as they felt the pressure mounting. Coach Carlo Ancelotti had made several roster adjustments, resting key players like Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham who were sidelined due to minor injuries. Young talents such as Ramón and Raúl Asencio were forced to step up under the weight of the occasion.
With the clock ticking down, it appeared as though Madrid were headed for extra time. Yet, as the match entered stoppage time, Brahim Díaz, showing great composure, broke free down the right. His precise cross found García at the near post, who headed home the winner, sending the Madrid sideline—and their fans—into jubilation.
García’s late strike not only completed the comeback but also ensured Real Madrid’s advance to the final four of this prestigious tournament, keeping their hopes of Copa del Rey glory alive after winning the title just two seasons ago.
Ancelotti, visibly pleased with the result, remarked, "Gonzalo has been on a very good run with the reserves and he brought a lot. We have to be pleased with what the young players did... they are well prepared, they lack experience obviously, but they are doing very well." He recognized the importance of the win and highlighted the impressive performance of his young squad.
Madrid’s victory puts them firmly utilized as they prepare for their next formidable league clash against city rivals Atlético Madrid, followed closely by their Champions League showdown with Manchester City. The team, currently atop the La Liga table, faces a scheduling challenge as they aim to maintain their position amid the title race.
While Madrid celebrated this hard-fought victory, the defeat left Leganes reeling. Coach Borja Jiménez's side will need to regroup as they sit 16th on the Spanish league table, struggling to find form.
Atlético Madrid, who routed Getafe 5-0 to reach the semifinals, will be tougher competition for the reigning champions than Leganes, but with García’s timely intervention and the youth stepping up, Madrid looks poised to continue their push for domestic and international success. The upcoming matches will certainly test their depth and agility, which has been fueled by the burst of energy from their promising young talent.