MADRID — A stoppage-time goal by 20-year-old striker Gonzalo Garcia earned a second-string Real Madrid side a hard-fought 3-2 win over lowly local rivals Leganes in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals on Wednesday.
Luka Modric and Endrick gave Real Madrid a two-goal lead with strikes early in the first half but Juan Cruz reduced the deficit from the penalty spot in the 39th minutes after a handball inside the box by Real defender Jacobo Ramon.
A deflected strike from Cruz in the 59th minute equalized the match but substitute Garcia scored the winner for Real in the 93rd minute, netting a towering header from a Brahim Diaz cross.
Ahead of Saturday’s LaLiga derby against second-placed Atletico Madrid and next week’s Champions League playoff clash at Manchester City, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti decided to rest several key starters such as Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr. and Thibaut Courtois. — Reuters
