Real Madrid Stunned by Underdogs Villarreal in Copa del Rey SemifinalReal Madrid Stunned by Underdogs Villarreal in Copa del Rey Semifinal In a shocking upset, underdog Villarreal stunned powerhouse Real Madrid 2-1 in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals. The result sent shockwaves through the football world and dealt a significant blow to Real Madrid’s hopes of lifting the trophy. The match was played at the Estadio de la Cerámica in Villarreal, and the home side started brightly. They took an early lead through a well-taken goal from Yeremi Pino in the 41st minute. Toni Kroos leveled the scores for Real Madrid just before halftime, giving them hope of a turnaround. However, Villarreal refused to lie down. They continued to press for a winner and were eventually rewarded in the 77th minute. Etienne Capoue headed home the decisive goal after a corner kick, sending the home crowd into raptures. Real Madrid, who are the record holders for Copa del Rey titles with 20, were left shell-shocked. They controlled much of the possession but failed to create clear-cut chances. Their star striker, Karim Benzema, was largely ineffective throughout the game. Villarreal, on the other hand, played with heart and determination. They defended resolutely and took their chances when they came. The result was a testament to their impressive season, which has seen them climb to fifth in La Liga. The second leg of the semifinal will be played at the Santiago Bernabéu on March 2. Real Madrid will need to overturn a 2-1 deficit to progress to the final. However, Villarreal will take a slender advantage into the return leg and will fancy their chances of causing another upset. The defeat is a major setback for Real Madrid, who have been in excellent form this season. They remain favorites to win La Liga but their hopes of completing a treble this year have now been dented.
