Leganes produced a stunning performance to dump Real Madrid out of the Copa del Rey and increase pressure on Zinedine Zidane.
Zidane’s side led 1-0 from last week’s first leg, with most assuming that the Spanish and European champions would see out the tie to make the semi-finals, but Javi Eraso levelled matters with a fine strike from the edge of the box in the first half.
Leganes' Spanish midfielder Javier Eraso (L) celebrates a goal during the Spanish 'Copa del Rey' (King's cup) quarter-final second leg football match between Real Madrid CF and CD Leganes at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on January 24, 2018.
Image credit: Getty Images
Karim Benzema looked to have got Real Madrid back on an even keel by chipping an equaliser over the Leganes goalkeeper just minutes into the second half. But the visitors showed admirable resolve to respond with a second goal, as Gabriel powered home a header from a corner.
Real Madrid pressed hard for a goal to spare their blushes and salvage their place in the Copa del Rey final four, but their attacking play proved to be predictable as Leganes held firm at the back. In a season of disappointments, this was Real’s greatest indignity yet.
TALKING POINT
Is this the end for Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid? Despite the weekend thumping of Deportivo La Coruna, the pressure was still piled on Zidane ahead of this game. The Frenchman has had to defend himself in the face of intense scrutiny in recent weeks and the questions will only get even more pressing after this embarrassing result. Will this prove to be the final straw for Florentino Perez? Will this mark the end for Zidane at Real Madrid?
Zinedine Zidane, Manager of Real Madrid looks on during the Copa del Rey, Quarter Final, Second Leg match between Real Madrid and Leganes at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on January 24, 2018 in Madrid, Spain.
Image credit: Getty Images
MAN OF THE MATCH
Gabriel (Leganes) Not many visiting players dominate games at the Santiago Bernabeu, but that’s what Gabriel did for Leganes this evening. Real Madrid couldn’t get near the former Juventus midfielder as he sprayed passes around, keeping control of the ball while driving the away side forward. His header ultimately gave Leganes one of the biggest results in their history, but his performance was about much more than just that goal.
Leganes' Brazilian midfielder Gabriel Appelt (C) celebrates a goal during the Spanish 'Copa del Rey' (King's cup) quarter-final second leg football match between Real Madrid CF and CD Leganes at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on January 24, 2018.
Image credit: Getty Images
PLAYER RATINGS
Real Madrid - Casilla 5, Achraf 4, Nacho 5, Ramos 4, Theo 5, Llorente 5, Kovacic 5, Isco 5, Vazquez 6, Benzema 6, Asensio 5. Subs - Carvajal 5, Modric 6, Mayoral 4.
Leganes - Champagne 7, Tito 7, Bustinza 7, Siovas 6, Rico 7, Gabriel 9, Brasanac 6, El Zhar 5, Eraso 7, Amrabat 6, Beauvue 6. Subs - Garcia 5, Naranjo 6, Mantovani 7.
KEY MOMENTS
6’ OFF THE POST! Inches away from the opener for the away side at the Bernabeu! Beauvue takes aim from 18 yards out, but his freekick strike hits the outside of the post and goes wide.
32’ GOAL! Real Madrid 0-1 Leganes (1-1 on aggregate): What an incredible strike! Leganes have equalised at the Bernabeu and in style! Achraf gives the ball away cheaply, but Eraso still has so much work to do. He fires a strike from 20 yards, maybe more, into the top corner. WOW!
48’ GOAL! Real Madrid 1-1 Leganes (2-1 on aggregate): Real Madrid have got themselves back in front in the tie right at the start of the second half! Benzema manages to find the back of the net with a cheeky little chip over the keeper from a tight angle.
Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema (L) dives to head the ball beside Leganes' Spanish defender Unai Bustinza during the Spanish 'Copa del Rey' (King's cup) quarter-final second leg football match between Real Madrid CF and CD Leganes at the Santia
Image credit: Getty Images
56’ GOAL! Real Madrid 1-2 Leganes (2-2 on aggregate): Can you believe it? Real Madrid are in a real mess here. Leganes now have the lead on away goals thanks to that bullet header from Gabriel. Casilla couldn't prevent it from finding the roof of the net.
82’ CHAMPAGNE SAVES! That was a wonderful opportunity for Benzema to score the equaliser on the night to put Real ahead in the tie, but the Leganes keeper makes the stop!
86’ RAMOS HEADER SAVED! That was almost the moment. How many times has Ramos saved Real Madrid over the years, but this time Champagne makes the save to deny the centre back!
KEY STATS
Real Madrid didn’t manage a single shot on goal in the first half of this match.
This was the first time Real Madrid have ever been eliminated from the Copa del Rey after winning the first leg away from home.
Leganes' Spanish midfielder Javier Eraso (L) celebrates a gola during the Spanish 'Copa del Rey' (King's cup) quarter-final second leg football match between Real Madrid CF and CD Leganes at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on January 24, 2018.
Image credit: Getty Images
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2018/01/24/2253684-46972470-2560-1440.jpg)
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2018/01/24/2253662-46972030-2560-1440.jpg)
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2018/01/24/2253745-46973690-2560-1440.jpg)
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2018/01/24/2253704-46972870-2560-1440.jpg)
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2018/01/24/2253705-46972890-2560-1440.jpg)