Real Madrid: Three takeaways from the Copa del Rey quarterfinal first-leg

Real Madrid took a big step towards the Copa del Rey semifinal with a 4-2 win at home against Girona on Thursday night. With two goals from captain Sergio Ramos, Los Blancos carry a solid lead into the second leg. Here are three takeaways from the match.

SANTIAGO BERNABÃ©U, MADRID, SPAIN – 2019/01/25: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid) seen celebrating after scoring a goal during the Copa del Rey Round of quarter-final first leg match between Real Madrid CF and Girona FC at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain.( Final score Real Madrid CF 4:2 Girona FC ). (Photo by Manu Reino/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Once again, it wasn’t pretty in the Santiago Bernabéu on a chilly January night, but the fans were entertained by a six-goal affair. Girona, who has yet to win a match in any competition since early December, got off to a quick start thanks to a mistake from Marcelo.

But, Real Madrid rallied with two goals before halftime from Lucas Vazquez and Sergio Ramos. Vaquez tucked in a great centering pass from Álvaro Odriozola and Ramos finished from the penalty spot after Vinícius Júnior drew the foul.

Girona tied the match from the penalty spot in the second half as Álex Granell beat Thibaut Courtois.

In the 77th minute, Ramos picked up his second as he headed in a Marcelo cross to put Real Madrid up for good. Just three minutes later, Karim Benzema got in on the action with a tidy finish at the back post off of a Vinícius pass.

Let’s get into the three takeaways from the match.

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