Gonzalo's last-minute goal earns Real Madrid a place in the semi-finals

Real Madrid CF have booked their place in the next round of the Copa del Rey MAPFRE after beating CD Leganés at Butarque (2-3). The opening goals from Modric and Enrick were equalised by a pair from Juan Cruz before Gonzalo, in the last minute of the game, gave Real Madrid the winning goal.

In a start to the game in which there were chances for both teams, the Whites tried to break down the home defence with quick combinations. On one such occasion, Rodrygo set up Luka Modric from the left, and the Croatian finished from inside the area to put Real Madrid ahead in the 18th minute. Shortly after, it was Endrick who took advantage of a rebound in the rival area to beat Juan Soriano and increase the visitors' lead at Butarque. Before the break, Juan Cruz reduced the home side’s arrears from the penalty spot, converting a spot-kick for a handball by Jacobo.

After the restart, a Juan Cruz shot deflected off Mendy and ended up in the back of the Real net, culminating the Pepinero comeback with a goal that put the tie back in the balance. 

Changes gave energy to both teams and in the final stretch of the game Real Madrid had chances to score through Vinicius and Brahim, who hit the crossbar, but they failed to convert them. When the tie looked destined for extra time, Gonzalo headed in Brahim's cross from the right to give Real Madrid the lead in the final action of the game.

The Spanish side, 20-time winners of the Copa del Rey, are back in the semi-finals after last competing at this stage two years ago in the 2023 edition, which they went on to win.

Semi-final draw on Wednesday 12 February at 13.00

The quarter-finals are set to end in style on Thursday with a double-header of matches that will decide the last semi-finalists of this 24/25 edition of the competition. Real Sociedad and CA Osasuna will open the evening at the Reale Arena at 19:30 (Movistar+) and two hours later the spotlight will move to Valencia, who play FC Barcelona (21:30 | La 1).

This Wednesday 12 February from 13:00 and with live coverage on Teledeporte (RTVE), Vamos (Movistar+) and the Royal Spanish Football Federation’s official channels, we will find out the pairings for the semi-finals of this season’s spectacular Copa del Rey. 

Here you can watch all the highlights, review all the stats and listen to the stars from the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey MAPFRE:

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE COPA DEL REY MAPFRE ON RFEF.TV

Foto: @realmadrid