Girona, (Spain): Sergio Ramos scored in the first half while Lucas Vasquez and Vinicius Junior struck one goal each as Real Madrid steadied the ship with a comfortable 3-0 win over Leganes here Thursday and put themselves on the brink of the Copa del Rey quarterfinals.
Vinicius, the 18-year-old Brazilian signed by Madrid last summer, capped an electric display at the Santiago Bernabeu with a stunning volley, his third goal for the club and the team’s third of the night.
By then, Ramos had converted a first-half penalty and Vazquez doubled the advantage to set Madrid on their way to a much-needed first victory of 2019.
The home crowd, who had whistled and waved white handkerchiefs Sunday after the loss to Real Sociedad, were also treated to the sight of Brahim Diaz making his debut, the 19-year-old coming off the bench following his move from Manchester City.
It was Madrid, however, who were the beneficiaries of a marginal decision this time as Alvaro Odriozola tumbled out of a tussle with Gerard Gumbau and Ramos made no mistake.
Leganes had started brighter and could have been ahead had Martin Braithwaite been more precise with his finishing or quicker to a Gumbau pass across goal.
Instead, the Spanish giants doubled their lead in the second half when Karim Benzema latched onto an underhit backpass from Bustinza and teed up Vinicius. He slid in Vazquez to finish.
“He is taking big steps,” Real coach Santiago Solari said of Vunicius. “He has always had the ability but to develop it and show it in the Bernabeu, alongside so many great players, speaks of his confidence and his courage.”
Earlier, Antoine Griezmann helped Atletico Madrid edge towards the last eight as they took a valuable away goal from a 1-1 draw with Girona.
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