Every time fans and people think that Real Madrid cannot drop any further, they come with dismal shows. After dropping 19 points in the la liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League seemed to be the only realistic thing for the European Champions but a rookie mistake of resting their star attackers and an average showing by those in the squad meant that Leganes defeated them 2-1 to knock them out of the Cup.
Javier Eraso’s goal just after the half-hour mark put the home side on notice, as Madrid failed to register a shot on target in the first half for just the second time this season.
But Karim Benzema’s equalizer just after the break had Madrid looking like favourites once more.
Then came the stunner, with Gabriel putting the visiting side back in front just seven minutes later, and Madrid would never recover.
The loss is a brutal blow for Madrid, who face the daunting task of Neymar, Edinson Cavani and Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League round of 16, with Europe’s top prize the only realistic chance for silverware remaining in what has become an unfathomably disappointing season.
It was just the first time in their long history that Los Blancos were knocked out of the Copa del Rey despite winning the away leg. A 2-1 win for minnows Leganes at Santiago Bernabeu meant that the tie was levelled 2-2 on aggregate and Leganes advanced to the semis due to away goals.