Real Madrid secured their place in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Leganes on February 6, 2025, at the Estadio Municipal Butarque. The match saw dramatic shifts, as the visitors initially controlled play but had to endure struggles against a resilient Leganes side.
The opening moments of the game saw both teams trading attempts but it was Real Madrid's Luka Modric who broke the deadlock in the 18th minute. Modric latched on to Rodrygo's through ball, expertly slipping past defenders to strike home, giving Los Blancos the lead to the delight of their traveling supporters.
Building on their early momentum, Real Madrid doubled their advantage shortly after, when 17-year-old Endrick made it 2-0 with a close-range tap-in after 24 minutes. Seemingly dominating the game, Madrid appeared poised to cruise through the match.
Leganes, determined not to succumb to the pressure, fought back and gained momentum. Their efforts paid off when they were awarded a penalty after Ramon handled the ball inside the box. Juan Cruz stepped up to convert, slotting it past goalkeeper Andriy Lunin right before halftime, shrinking Real Madrid's lead to 2-1.
With the scoreline narrower and the home crowd invigorated, the second half saw Leganes pushing aggressively for the equalizer. Their resolve bore fruit when Cruz equalized again, this time with a wickedly deflected shot from the edge of the box, catching Lunin off guard and making it 2-2.
With just minutes remaining, Real Madrid’s chances of progression hung by a thread as the two teams battled fiercely. A corner kick won by Madrid brought fresh hope, and moments later, Gonzalo Garcia emerged as the hero of the evening. He found the net with just moments to spare, scoring in the 93rd minute and ensuring Madrid claimed the victory with final game trivia: the final score standing at 3-2.
This victory places Real Madrid firmly among the contenders for the Copa del Rey title. Their focus will swiftly shift to upcoming challenges, especially with key encounters looming against heavyweights like Atletico de Madrid and Manchester City. Despite injuries plaguing their defensive line, the experience and skill within their squad remain formidable.
Looking back at the match, the performance showcased the depth and resilience of the Real Madrid squad, alongside the determination of Leganes not to be outplayed on their home turf. Fans have much to look forward to as the tournament progresses, with anticipation building for the semifinal matchup. While this match was pivotal for both sides, it emphasized Real Madrid's unwavering ambition to reclaim glory this season.
With one foot planted firmly in the next round, Real Madrid will be hoping their momentum carries through, ready to face whatever challenges lie on the road to the Copa del Rey trophy.