Leganes 2-3 Real Madrid: Gonzalo Garcia stoppage-time header sends Ancelotti´s side into semi-finals

Real Madrid scraped through to the Copa del Rey semi-finals after Gonzalo Garcia’s stoppage-time winner snatched a dramatic 3-2 victory over Leganes.

Carlo Ancelotti’s much-changed side were pegged back from 2-0 up at Estadio Municipal de Butarque, but held their nerve to eventually prevail.

Everything appeared to be going to plan for Madrid when Rodrygo set up Luka Modric for the opener after just eight minutes, before Endrick doubled the lead in the 25th minute.

However, Leganes were awarded a penalty seven minutes before the break after youngster Jacobo Ramon was penalised for handball, with Juan Cruz tucking away from the spot.

The hosts, who were appearing in only their second Copa del Rey quarter-final, then drew level just before the hour mark, Juan Cruz playing a one-two with Darko Brasanac before his shot beat Andriy Lunin via Raul Asencio’s deflection.

Ancelotti had introduced Vinicius Junior from the bench at half-time, and the Brazil winger struck the post, while Brahim Diaz was denied by the crossbar.

But Brahim set up the winner in the third minute of stoppage time, with his near-post cross headed in by 20-year-old substitute Gonzalo Garcia.

3 – @lukamodric10has scored three goals in his last nine appearances with @realmadriden in all competitions, same as in his 107 previous matches with Los Blancos. Momentum.pic.twitter.com/27EP1fZioP

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) February 5, 2025

Data Debrief: Madrid put quarter-final struggles to one side

Madrid progressed for only the third time from their last seven Copa del Rey quarter-finals

Modric got the ball rolling with his third goal in nine appearances; the same number he registered in his 107 previous matches for Los Blancos.

Although, Ancelotti’s side were given a scare when they conceded their sixth penalty of the season, a tally only bettered by Las Palmas (nine), Girona and Alaves (both seven) among Spanish teams.