Real Madrid had Marco Asensio to thank for scoring a late winner against Leganes in the first leg of their quarter final tie in the Copa Del Rey. It was a much-changed Real Madrid line up from the start as Zinedine Zidane kept faith with the youngsters that have played the other games in the Copa Del Rey so far this season.
The big players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Marcelo among many others were rested for this contest with a big game against Deportivo coming up in La Liga on Sunday afternoon. Karim Benzema was also missing due to a hamstring injury, as he was not quite ready to return.
The first half was dominated by Real Madrid and they had the better chances as Raphael Varane had a header over the bar and Mateo Kovacic hit a shot wide when he was one on one with Nereo Champagne.
Leganes did almost score when Marcos Llorente headed on to his own crossbar. They then had another opportunity as Nordin Amrabat put a cross in and Claudio Beauvue’s volley was saved by Real goalkeeper Kiko Casilla.
It was not until the 89th minute that Real Madrid finally made the breakthrough, as Theo Hernandez’s cross from the left wing was brilliantly volleyed home by Marco Asensio at the near post. There seemed like no space to fit the ball between the post and the goalkeeper but Asensio somehow managed it. It was his first goal in eleven matches.
This result was Real’s first win in four matches in all competitions and hopefully they will be able to take some confidence into the rest of the season. The return leg against Leganes will be taking place at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday 24th January.
