Copa Del Rey: Real Beat Girona In Thrilling Cup Quarterfinal

25th January 2019

Sergio Ramos scored a brace as the hosts edged the oponents in the competition first leg held at Santiago Bernabeu on Thursday night

(L-R) Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid, Lucas Vazquez of Real Madrid celebrate goal during the Spanish Copa del Rey match between Real Madrid v Girona at the Santiago Bernabeu on January 24, 2019 in Madrid Spain.PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES
(L-R) Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid, Lucas Vazquez of Real Madrid celebrate goal during the Spanish Copa del Rey match between Real Madrid v Girona at the Santiago Bernabeu on January 24, 2019 in Madrid Spain.PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES
SUMMARY
  • Ramos' chipped penalty gave Madrid a 2-1 half-time lead at the Santiago Bernabeu after Lucas Vazquez had cancelled out Anthony Lozano's early strike
  • Ramos now has nine goals in all competitions this season and these two were key as Madrid maintained what it is beginning to look like a second revival under coach Santiago Solari
  • Ten points adrift in the league, this competition now represents Madrid's best hope of a domestic trophy this season and Solari's selection seemed to suggest as much
  • Girona were on the ropes and Madrid came again. It was almost a mirror image, this time Vinicius curling a sumptuous ball to the back post where Benzema was left with an open net to tap in a fourth

MADRID, Spain- Sergio Ramos scored twice to put Real Madrid on the brink of the Copa del Rey semi-finals as they came from behind to beat Girona 4-2 in a thrilling first leg on Thursday.

Ramos' chipped penalty gave Madrid a 2-1 half-time lead at the Santiago Bernabeu after Lucas Vazquez had cancelled out Anthony Lozano's early strike.

Girona, however, came again, Alex Granell scoring from the spot, only for Ramos to head home with 13 minutes left before Benzema added a fourth to extend the advantage ahead of next week's second leg.

READ MORE: Real In Copa Del Rey Quarterfinals Despite Leganes Defeat

Ramos now has nine goals in all competitions this season and these two were key as Madrid maintained what it is beginning to look like a second revival under coach Santiago Solari.

After a blistering start, Solari oversaw a dip at the turn of the year but his team have now won four out of their last five, the only slip coming in a second leg defeat to Leganes when progress was already all-but secured.

"Football never lets up, now comes Espanyol on Sunday and we want to win to get closer to the top," Solari said. "When hard work is rewarded by results, the feeling is contagious."

READ MORE: Vinicius Stars As Real Thrash Leganes In Copa Del Rey

It would be a timely run into form, with Atletico Madrid in La Liga and then Ajax in the Champions League both to come at the start of next month.

Ten points adrift in the league, this competition now represents Madrid's best hope of a domestic trophy this season and Solari's selection seemed to suggest as much.

He picked a strong line-up, which included a recall for the struggling Marcelo while Toni Kroos made the bench, after recovering from injury.

READ MORE: Levante Shock Barcelona In Copa Del Rey First Leg

Girona were keener to rotate as Cristhian Stuani, La Liga's third top scorer, was left on the bench ahead of Sunday's game at home to Barcelona.

"We prioritise La Liga," Girona coach Eusebio said. "We value the history of the cup but our resources have to be saved for the league."

Madrid were the better side for most of the first half but gave Girona a head-start. Raul Garcia tore away down the left and his cross to the back post found the unmarked Lozano, who could not miss. Marcelo was two yards behind him.

READ MORE: Solari Off To Flying Real Madrid Start, Lenglet Spares Barca Blushes

Benzema has been the unsung hero of Madrid's stuttering season and it was his pass that led to the equaliser. Odriozola sped away and pulled back for Vazquez to score.

Girona were on the backfoot. Benzema fired over, Alvaro Odriozola overran with only the keeper to beat and Luka Modric wanted a penalty after Douglas Luiz robbed him of the ball from behind.

Moments later, Vinicius was clipped by Lozano and this time there was no doubt. Ramos chipped the ball down the middle.Benzema grazed the post from distance and Madrid were so dominant it looked like they might take the tie away from Girona in the second half.

(L-R) Karim Benzema of Real Madrid, Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid celebrate goal during the Spanish Copa del Rey match between Real Madrid v Girona at the Santiago Bernabeu on January 24, 2019 in Madrid Spain.PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES

Instead, in the 67th minute, Marcos Llorente, on as a substitute, threw his arm towards the ball at a corner and Alex Granell swept the penalty into the top corner to pull Girona level.

Solari turned to Isco, his last attacking option on the bench but Madrid's third came from their central defender, the assist from their left back.

Marcelo swung in the cross and Ramos climbed high above Marc Muniesa to head home.

Girona were on the ropes and Madrid came again. It was almost a mirror image, this time Vinicius curling a sumptuous ball to the back post where Benzema was left with an open net to tap in a fourth.