Publications
Partners
Spain - Real Madrid took a small step towards ending their crisis by defeating Leganes with an 89th-minute goal by Marco Asensio in the first-leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.
Despite Madrid reserve team giving a lackluster performance, Asensio salvaged a victory with a close-range shot into the top corner after a well-placed cross from Theo Hernandez.
The result ended Madrid's three-match winless streak and eased some of the pressure on manager Zinedine Zidane after poor results.
"If we are able to keep scoring, we will keep gaining confidence," Asensio said.
"We need to win a few matches in a row and then things will start improving."
It was an open match at Butarque Stadium just outside of Madrid. After Leganes hit the woodwork in the second-half, Madrid finally broke the deadlock when Asensio beat a defender to Hernandez's cross from the left side.
Zidane did not use his main squad, resting Cristiano Ronaldo and others for the Spanish league game at Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday.
Right-back Dani Carvajal and central defender Raphael Varane were the only regular starters to begin Thursday's game. Luka Modric and Isco entered the match in the second half.
"This goal in the end hurt our chances of having a better shot at advancing at the Bernabeu," Leganes defender Unai Bustinza said.
The second-leg is next week.
