Leganés - Real Madrid: match summary of the Copa del Rey at Butarque

Real Madrid defeated CD Leganés 2-3 in the Copa del Rey quarter-final match held at Butarque. The Madrid team secured their place in the semifinals thanks to goals from Luka Modric, Endrick, and Gonzalo.

Looking ahead to the Madrid classic on Saturday and the first leg at Etihad, Carlo Ancelotti started with a line-up full of rotations. The Italian made up to seven changes and included players like Lunin, Jacobo Ramón, Brahim, Güler, and Endrick. Additionally, Carletto, who left Vinícius on the bench, also couldn't count on Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé due to injury.

A nearly perfect first half

CD Leganés started quite bravely with two great shots from Juan Cruz and Óscar that Andriy Lunin was able to stop. As the minutes passed, Carlo Ancelotti's pupils managed to take control of the ball, and the visiting chances began to arrive.

The first chance for the whites was at Endrick's feet. After a great individual action by Brahim Díaz, the Brazilian, who suffered a previous bounce, failed to hit his shot. CD Leganés also had their chances, and Óscar Rodríguez could have put the locals ahead with a header that went wide.

However, Real Madrid replied in the best way: with Luka Modric's fine goal. Rodrygo Goes, who left great details, provided the assist for the Croatian, who put the whites ahead in the 17th minute.

As the minutes went by, the white team continued to rev up the engine, and thus the second goal arrived. With Brahim once again in the key play, Endrick ended up taking advantage of a rebound in the Moroccan international's wall attempt to score the second. This way, the Brazilian once again demonstrated his great relationship with the goal in the current Copa del Rey.

Real Madrid, who could have sealed the match in the first half, saw CD Leganés cut the distance from the penalty spot. After a handball by Jacobo Ramón inside the area, Juan Cruz converted a shot that Andriy Lunin almost stopped.

The unbelievable appearance of Gonzalo

The second half began with the substitution of Vinícius for Rodrygo Goes. Carlo Ancelotti, aware of the upcoming schedule for the white team, wanted to give both players some rest. The Brazilian winger had the chance to score the third on two quite clear occasions.

However, CD Leganés managed to equalize the match with a shot from Juan Cruz that deflected off Ferland Mendy. The ball completely changed its trajectory, and Andriy Lunin could do absolutely nothing. Despite having some opportunities, Real Madrid didn't manage to have complete control of the game in the early minutes of the second half.

After the local equalizer, the whites shifted up a gear in their game. One of the most dangerous players was Vinícius, constantly causing headaches for CD Leganés defenders. From the Brazilian's cleats came a magnificent pass that ended with Brahim Díaz's chipped shot hitting the crossbar fifteen minutes from the end.

Another highlight was the appearance of Gonzalo, whom Ancelotti gave the opportunity due to his good campaign in Castilla. The young player came on in the 82nd minute to try to surprise a CD Leganés that pressed in the final moments.

However, the striker had his moment of glory in added time with a great header from a Brahim pass. The top scorer of the Primera RFEF ended up giving Real Madrid the pass in the 92nd minute of the match.

This way, Real Madrid will be present in the Copa semifinals draw next Wednesday. Carlo Ancelotti's team, who achieved an agonizing victory in Leganés, are already fully focused on the Madrid classic.