Real Madrid beats Leganes 3-2 with stoppage time winner by Gonzalo
In a thrilling Copa del Rey quarterfinal that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle, Real Madrid’s young talent Gonzalo García emerged as the unlikely hero, heading home a dramatic stoppage-time winner to secure a 3-2 victory over Leganes. The 20-year-old Castilla striker’s decisive goal propelled Los Blancos into the semifinals of Spain’s prestigious cup competition.
The match showcased both Real Madrid’s depth and vulnerability, as Carlo Ancelotti’s side, wrestling with a defensive crisis due to injuries to key players Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba, fielded an experimental backline featuring youth products Jacobo Ramón and Raúl Asencio, with Federico Valverde adapting to an unfamiliar right-back role.
The visitors appeared to be cruising after veteran midfielder Luka Modric demonstrated his enduring class with a clinical finish in the 18th minute, followed by rising Brazilian star Endrick announcing himself to the Copa del Rey with an opportunistic strike seven minutes later. However, Leganes, currently battling in the lower reaches of LaLiga, showed remarkable resilience to level the contest through Juan Cruz’s double – first from the penalty spot before the break, then via a deflected effort just before the hour mark.
The drama reached its peak when Brahim Díaz, who would later turn provider for the winner, saw his ingenious chip strike the woodwork in the 75th minute. But it was García, making the most of his opportunity with the senior team, who had the final say by connecting perfectly with Díaz’s cross in the 93rd minute.
This victory carries extra significance for Real Madrid, coming just days after their surprising LaLiga defeat to Espanyol – only their second loss in 15 matches across all competitions. The result sets up an intriguing semifinal lineup, with Atletico Madrid already securing their spot after an emphatic 5-0 triumph over Getafe, highlighted by a memorable brace from coach Diego Simeone’s son, Giuliano.
The focus now shifts quickly for Ancelotti’s men as they prepare for a crucial LaLiga derby against Atletico Madrid, where they’ll look to protect their slim one-point lead at the top of the table. As defending Copa del Rey champions, this hard-fought victory keeps alive their hopes of retaining the trophy they last lifted in 2022-23.
The remaining quarterfinal matches will see Real Sociedad host Osasuna and Barcelona travel to Valencia, completing what promises to be an exciting semifinal lineup in this season’s Copa del Rey.
