Gonzalo sends Real Madrid to Copa del Rey semi-finals

Real Madrid booked their place in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey. The Whites went 2-0 up before the half-hour mark with goals from Modrić and Endrick, but Juan Cruz reduced the deficit from the penalty spot. In the second half, fortune eluded the Whites. Leganés equalised when a shot from Juan Cruz deflected in off Mendy. In the last minute, Gonzalo popped up to cap a magnificent week for the young striker. After four goals for Castilla against Algeciras, he struck the winner this evening to secure his side's place in the semi-finals.

Leganés started strongly and after just five minutes they came close to catching Madrid out with a free-kick from Oscar, but Lunin was on hand to punch the ball out of the area. From then on, Ancelotti's side began to take control and carve out clear goalscoring opportunities. The visitors almost took the lead in the 13th minute after Brahim’s neat play saw Endrick fire in a shot from inside the box but Juan Soriano was on hand to save. The first goal of the game came five minutes later. Rodrygo spotted Modrić's run from midfield and squared the ball to the edge of the area. The captain only needed two touches to open the scoring, as he controlled the ball and then stabbed it into the net.

Endrick’s third goal in the Copa del Rey
The Whites doubled their lead seven minutes later. Brahim broke into the area and when Renato Tapia tried to clear the ball, he could only give it Endrick who scored in the six-yard box with a first-time finish. It was the Brazilian's third goal of the competition. The game continued at a high tempo and Leganés reduced the deficit in the 39th minute. Juan Cruz shot and the ball struck the hand of Jacobo as he dived to the ground inside the area to try to intercept it. Alberola Rojas awarded the penalty and Juan Cruz converted it.

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With the score at 1-2 at half-time, the first chance after the interval fell to Madrid in the 50th minute. Vini Jr, who had replaced Rodrygo, put the ball through Rosier's legs, but the home keeper was quick off his line and cleared for a corner with his left foot. Arda Güler swung the resulting corner into the box and Valverde flicked it on and Vini Jr.'s header at the far post missed the target. Eight minutes later, Madrid had another chance from a corner. This time Modrić curled it in and Ancelotti's men had a chance to widen the gap, but Endrick's header flew just over. The hosts then made it 2-2 in the next attack, which was well executed by Leganés and ended in a fortunate goal. Juan Cruz's shot took a wicked deflection off Mendy to wrongfoot the stranded Lunin and creep into the net.

Vini Jr. hits the post and Brahim strikes the crossbar
Real Madrid’s riposte was instantaneous, but their luck once again eluded them. Vini Jr. dodged past his marker in the 64th minute and sped towards goal. His effort hit the post and then, after clipping the body of Soriano, hit the woodwork again. The Brazilian was causing Rosier a real headache and the winger beat him again in the 70th minute with a neat dribble, but his effort narrowly missed the target. Four minutes later, the Brazilian sent Brahim through on goal, but the Malaga-born forward saw his chip come back off the crossbar.

Gonzalo seals the victory
Real Madrid deserved to win the tie and they kept plugging away in search of a winner. Tchouameni headed over from a corner in the 89th minute and Brahim a minute later with a shot inside the area in the 90th minute. In stoppage time, Valverde also tried his luck with a powerful left-footed shot, but the reward came in the last minute of the game. Brahim got to the byline and crossed for the academy product Gonzalo to head in the winner and cap a superb week. He had recently scored a hat-trick for Castilla against Algeciras and tonight he secured a place in the semi-finals for Ancelotti's side, who now must wait to discover their opponents.