Real Madrid knocked out of Copa del Rey by Leganes
By Wang Meng
["china"]
European champions Real Madrid are out of this year's Copa del Rey after losing the second leg of the tournament's quarter-final to Leganes 2-1 at the Bernabeu, ending the tie 2-2 but losing on away goals.
Real's under fire coach Zinedine Zidane started Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema, and Marco Asensio, who scored in the first leg to give Los Blancos a narrow 1-0 advantage.
Javi Eraso gave Leganes the lead in the 32nd minute, with a spectacular curled shot from long range. Benzema leveled on the night two minutes into the second half thanks to a pass from Lucas Vazquez.
Leganes progressed to the semi-finals of Copa del Rey for the first time. /VCG Photo

Leganes progressed to the semi-finals of Copa del Rey for the first time. /VCG Photo

But Brazilian striker Gabriel Pires then hit the winner for Leganes with a firm header eight minutes later, giving Real a shocking 2-1 deficit, which was ultimately enough to send Leganes to the semi-finals for the first time.
Zidane took the blame for Real Madrid's humiliating defeat: "I am the manager. I picked the team and I was wrong in many regards. It's up to me to find the solutions. I will continue to fight, to work, to battle and to find the things the team needs."