Gonzalo Garcia's first Real Madrid goal sent Carlo Ancelotti's side into the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday evening, with Los Blancos recording a last-gasp 3-2 victory over fellow La Liga outfit Leganes.
Luka Modric and Endrick scored in the first 25 minutes to send Real Madrid two goals ahead, but a brace from Juan Cruz, including one from the penalty spot, left the two sides level approaching the final stages.
It appeared that extra-time and potentially penalties would be required to determine which side would progress to the final four, but Garcia had other ideas, with the 20-year-old scoring a 93rd-minute winner on just his third senior appearance.
Real Madrid are are 20-time winners of the Copa del Rey, with their last success coming in 2022-23, and the capital giants have now joined Atletico Madrid in booking their spot in the final four of this season's tournament.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
As expected, Real Madrid head coach Ancelotti made changes to his usual XI, with Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe among those left out due to minor issues, but Los Blancos just about had enough to advance to the semi-finals of the competition.
There remain question marks over this Real Madrid side, and the recent injury to Antonio Rudiger is a big concern, but the capital giants are leading the way in La Liga and are preparing to face Manchester City in a two-legged Champions League playoff.
If they can navigate their way past Man City, then the reigning European champions will be full of confidence, and it is certainly not impossible to imagine them winning a treble this season considering the quality in their squad.
This should have been a comfortable night when Endrick and Modric scored in quick succession, but Leganes deserve huge praise for fighting back, and their performance should give them a boost when it comes to their upcoming matches in La Liga.
Garcia was the hero, though, and it is a night that the Spaniard, who has scored 19 times in 21 league appearances for Real Madrid's second string this season, will never forget.
LEGANES VS. REAL MADRID HIGHLIGHTS
18th min: Leganes 0-1 Real Madrid (Luka Modric)
Real Madrid make the breakthrough in the 18th minute of the contest, as Modric collects a pass from Rodrygo before poking the ball into the back of the net from inside the box - Los Blancos take the lead in the cup tie.
25th min: Leganes 0-2 Real Madrid (Endrick)
Real Madrid double their advantage in the 25th minute of the contest, with Endrick slotting into the back of the net after the ball had fallen kindly for him following good work from Brahim Diaz and Federico Valverde.
39th min: Leganes 1-2 Real Madrid (Juan Cruz, penalty)
Leganes halve the deficit in the closing stages of the first period, and the goal comes from Cruz, who finds the back of the net after Jacobo Ramon had conceded a penalty.
59th min: Leganes 2-2 Real Madrid (Juan Cruz)
Leganes level the scores in the 59th minute of the match, and it is another goal from Cruz, who combines with Darko Brasanac before having a shot deflected into the bottom corner of the net.
93rd min: Leganes 2-3 Real Madrid (Gonzalo Garcia)
Oh my word - Real Madrid have won this at the death, and it is a first Los Blancos goal for Garcia, with the 20-year-old heading a cross from Brahim Diaz into the back of the net; Leganes have conceded a third in the 93rd minute.
MAN OF THE MATCH - JUAN CRUZ
© Imago
Cruz did not deserve to be on the losing side on Wednesday night, with the 24-year-old putting in an excellent performance.
The attacker scored his first of the evening from the penalty spot before netting his second following a smart combination with Brasanac, and Cruz caused Real Madrid issues whenever he had possession of the ball in forward positions.
LEGANES VS. REAL MADRID MATCH STATS
Possession: Leganes 41%-59% Real Madrid
Shots: Leganes 16-20 Real Madrid
Shots on target: Leganes 4-12 Real Madrid
Corners: Leganes 3-7 Real Madrid
Fouls: Leganes 15-13 Real Madrid
BEST STATS
3 - @lukamodric10 🇭🇷 has 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
6 - @realmadriden have been sanctioned with six penaltis in all competitions this season (none in LaLiga); only three Spanish teams conceded more: Las Palmas (9), Girona and Alavés (7) - another five teams with six as well-. Area.📐 pic.twitter.com/SKveVVSHDP
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) February 5, 2025
Gonzalo García wins it at the death to send Real Madrid to the Copa del Rey semifinals 😱
— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 5, 2025
Perfect time for the 20-year-old to grab his first goal for Los Blancos pic.twitter.com/rNIdwVAtHA
Gonzalo García has scored 19 goals so far this season for Castilla, with 19 games left to play. Castilla's all-time top scorer in a single season is Mariano Díaz, who scored 25 goals in the 2015/2016 campaign.
— Madrid Universal (@MadridUniversal) February 5, 2025
— @diarioas pic.twitter.com/1HTig5nDUd
❗️Vinicius Junior has received more cards this season (12) than he did in the whole of last season (11).
— Madrid Universal (@MadridUniversal) February 5, 2025
— @2010MisterChip pic.twitter.com/lXADfSzz5Y
WHAT NEXT?
Both sides will now switch their attention back to La Liga, with Real Madrid having the small matter of a Madrid derby at home to Atletico Madrid on Saturday night, while Leganes will head to fellow strugglers Valencia in a huge match towards the bottom.
Real Madrid are currently top of the La Liga table, one point ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid, while Leganes are 16th, two points above the relegation zone.
Matt Law
