Real Madrid Triumphs 3-2 Over Leganés in Copa del Rey
Real Madrid secured a thrilling 3-2 victory against Leganés in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals, with their young talents playing a pivotal role in the win. Although the match was tightly contested, it was the youthful energy of the Madrid squad that made the difference in the dying seconds.
After a recent loss to Espanyol, Carlo Ancelotti fielded a rotated lineup. Youngsters Jacobo Ramon and Raul Asencio partnered in defense, while Endrick, Guler, Rodrygo, and Brahim Diaz led the attack. Madrid started strong, with Luka Modric opening the scoring following a brilliant assist from Rodrygo (1-0, 18th minute), and Endrick doubling the lead in the 25th minute after a well-worked team move (2-0).
However, Leganés fought back, reducing the deficit through a penalty late in the first half (1-2, 39th minute). In the second half, Real Madrid struggled to finish off the game, with Vinicius Jr. missing two chances to extend the lead early (50th and 51st minutes). Leganés equalized when Juan Cruz’s shot, deflected by Ferland Mendy, wrong-footed goalkeeper Lunin (2-2, 59th minute).
With the match nearing its end, it looked like a 2-2 draw was on the cards, but in the final moments, 18-year-old Gonzalo Garcia, making his professional debut, scored the winning goal. A well-placed header off a Brahim Diaz cross in the 93rd minute (3-2) sent Madrid through to the Copa del Rey semifinals.
