REAL ATLETI THROUGH TO LAST FOUR

Written by: Floyd Nkanyane

In a night of high drama at the Estadio Municipal de Butarque, Real Madrid’s young academy graduate Gonzalo García etched his name into Copa del Rey folklore with a stunning 93rd-minute winner, breaking Leganés hearts in a pulsating 3-2 victory.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men appeared to be cruising after veteran midfielder Luka Modrić orchestrated the opening goal in the 18th minute, followed by wonderkid Endrick doubling their advantage just seven minutes later. However, Leganés, playing with the spirit of David against Goliath, refused to bow down to their more illustrious opponents.

The hosts’ resurgence began when Juan Cruz kept his cool from the penalty spot following a handball by former Madrid academy player Jacobo Ramon. Cruz wasn’t done there – he returned in the second half to level the scores, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and raising hopes of a historic upset.

As the match seemed destined for extra time, Madrid’s young blood proved decisive. In the dying moments, Brahim’s perfectly weighted cross found García, who delivered the knockout blow that silenced the Butarque faithful and sent Los Blancos into the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, across the capital, Atlético Madrid orchestrated a masterclass in ruthless efficiency, demolishing local rivals Getafe in a commanding 5-0 victory. Giovanni Simeone, following in his father’s footsteps at the Metropolitano, led the charge with a quickfire double inside the opening 20 minutes. Samuel Lino added a third before the break, while second-half strikes from Ángel Correa and Alexander Sørloth completed the rout, sending a clear message to their remaining competitors.

The quarter-finals stage is set to reach its climax with two more enticing fixtures. Real Sociedad welcomes Osasuna to the atmospheric Anoeta, while Valencia prepares to host Barcelona in what promises to be another classic cup encounter at the Mestalla.

With Madrid’s dramatic victory and Atlético’s emphatic statement, the 2025 Copa del Rey continues to deliver moments that will be remembered for years to come.

Should Barcelona navigate their way past Valencia, we could potentially witness another chapter in the eternal rivalry between the capital and Catalonian giants. However, with Real Sociedad and Osasuna still in the mix, this year’s Copa del Rey remains deliciously unpredictable.

The semi-final draw will be eagerly anticipated, as the remaining teams dream of lifting one of Spanish football’s most prestigious trophies. For now, Madrid’s young hero García and Atlético’s ruthless attackers have ensured their places in cup history, leaving fans wondering what other dramatic stories this tournament has yet to tell. However, focus is now on the mouthwatering Madrid Derby for these two giants as they prepare to clash for the top spot in La Liga EA Sports at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.