Madrid, Jan. 25 (IANS): Leganes are headed for the Copa del Rey semi-finals for the first time in their history after upsetting mighty Real Madrid 2-1 in the second leg of the quarter-final tie here.
Though the aggregate was 2-2 after the Blancos won the first leg 1-0, their suburban neighbours on Wednesday advanced by virtue of a 2-1 advantage in away goals, reports Efe. Real Madrid has never before lost a Copa tie in the Bernabeu after winning the first leg away.
While the Blancos showed little sense of urgency, the determined visiting side pressed from the opening whistle and got their reward in the 31st minute when Javier Eraso stole the ball from Nacho and lobbed a shot from a distance that found the net to make it 1-0.
The hosts were better at the start of the second half and pulled level in the 47th minute on a goal by Karim Benzema, his first since November 25. Eight minutes later, however, Gabriel got his head to an Eraso corner kick to bring the aggregate score to 2-2.
As the match entered the final 20 minutes, coach Zinedine Zidane turned to his bench, first by sending in Dani Carvajal and Luka Modric.
Minutes later, Zidane yanked Isco Alarcon in favour of Borja Mayoral, who grazed the post after taking a cross from Lucas Vazquez, who led Real Madrid’s desperate quest for a goal. Leganes keeper Nereo Champagne sealed the upset by stopping a thunderous Sergio Ramos header.
