Brahim 9, Mendy 6.5 | Leganes 2-3 Real Madrid: Player ratings | OneFootball

Real Madrid are potentially three games away from their third piece of silverware in the 2024/25 season, courtesy of a win in the quarter-final of the Copa del Rey against Leganes by a 3-2 margin.

Endrick, Luka Modric, and Gonzalo Garcia delivered the goods in the final third for the Whites, who will learn of their semi-final opponents from the competition next week.

Following the four quarter-final matches, Los Blancos are set to take on one of Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, or Real Sociedad in a two-legged semi-final affair due to begin in the final week of February. They will learn of their opponents in next week’s draw for the last four fixtures.

This is only the third time in the last 10 years that Real Madrid have made the final four of the Copa del Rey. Nonetheless, it is an important result given that it keeps their hopes of winning an elusive treble alive.

With that said, here is a look at their player ratings from a hard-earned result.

Andriy Lunin – 7.5

Andriy Lunin was called into action within 60 seconds of kick-off and kept the score level with a decent save. The Ukrainian also prevented Madrid from potentially going two down shortly before their opener. All in all, a decent display from the secondary choice in the knockout game.

Federico Valverde – 8

Federico Valverde rarely disappoints and his shift at right back against Leganes was a testament to why Carlo Ancelotti always relies on him. He did very well defensively and was in good possession while going forward, perhaps being unlucky to not score as a great shot from distance went narrowly wide.

Raul Asencio – 8

Raul Asencio was terrific at the back once more as he won five duels and made two tackles, both of which were as the team’s last man. The 21-year-old also distributed the ball well from the back and gave the Whites the confidence they needed in him ahead of a decisive week of football.

Jacobo Ramon – 7

Anything less than a 7 would be harsh on Jacobo Ramon, who was thrown into the starting eleven in the midst of an injury crisis in defence. He started the game nervously and also conceded a penalty in the first half but barely put a foot wrong in the second period, having made 10 tackles and won 10 duels in the game.

Ferland Mendy – 6.5

Another substandard performance by Ferland Mendy saw him be static and regressive on the ball, while doing little in the offensive areas when Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior needed support against Leganes’ low block. Fran Garcia’s introduction in the last 10 minutes visibly upped the tempo.

Luka Modric – 8.5

A vintage performance from Luka Modric, who scored the opening goal and set the tone for the win early on. The 39-year-old completed 94% of his passes, including all attempted long balls. He has been an asset for Madrid in spite of his age and proved that he is a super reliable player even at the dusk of his career.

Aurelien Tchouameni – 8

A commendable display by Aurelien Tchouameni in his natural defensive midfield role after weeks of criticism against his name when deployed as a central defender. Besides completing 97% of his passes, the French international made two blocks, three interceptions, and seven recoveries.

Arda Guler – 7

Arda Guler was not at his best against Leganes, but did a better-than-average job for Real Madrid. He dictated the play well whilst in possession, thereby creating two big chances as well. Guler also worked hard without the ball as he tracked back to help Valverde in defending.

Brahim Diaz – 9

Arguably the best player on the pitch for Real Madrid, Brahim Diaz started several attacking moves with his mazy dribbling. He did an attacking midfielder’s job well in Jude Bellingham’s absence and would have been a perfect 10 had he gotten into better scoring positions. Nonetheless, the Moroccan assisted Gonzalo Garcia’s winning goal.

Rodrygo – 7

Rodrygo did the job that was asked of him in the first 45 minutes as he set up Luka Modric’s goal. The Brazilian has been imperious on the left wing and would definitely have added to the scoresheet had he not been rested in the second period, when Vinicius Junior came in.

Endrick – 7.5

Endrick scored his third goal in the Copa del Rey this season and looked hungry for the ball every time during the game. He also got into good goal-scoring positions and was perhaps unfortunate to not have gotten himself a goal or two more in the second period of the game.

Substitutes:

Vinicius Junior – 6.5

Vinicius Junior did not live up to his lofty standards in the second half as he missed a couple of decent opportunities to score in spite of doing all the good work down the left. He will look to right his wrongs in Madrid’s next couple of outings against Atletico Madrid and Manchester City.

Dani Ceballos – 7

As Leganes sat deep after leveling the game with the hopes of pushing it into extra time, Dani Ceballos’ introduction helped. The Spaniard played some brilliant through balls and switched play well to unsettle them.

Fran Garcia – N/A

Fran Garcia played only the last 10 minutes, so it was too small of a sample size to rate him.

Gonzalo Garcia – N/A

The Castilla hitman scored the winner but as with Fran Garcia, he also played too little to make a cohesive judgement.