C.D. Leganés celebrate at the Chapín and advance to the second round of the Copa del Rey (1-2)

C.D. Leganés overcame opponents Xerez Deportivo F.C. (1-2) at the Chapín in their first knockout round of the Copa de S.M. El Rey. Naim and Doukouré bagged the goals for the club, which enters the next draw this Friday at 12:00 (CET) to determine the fixtures in the tournament's second elimination round.

Naim snatches the lead at the stroke of half time

Nafti's team saw big changes from their last league fixture against Las Palmas: only goalkeeper Asier Riesgo retained his place in the starting lineup as Iván Villar's fitness complications continue, leaving him unavailable for selection. Leganés came out hungry to score the first in the cup tie, with Luis Perea forcing an athletic save from the home keeper only in the 5'.

Avilés' return to the right flank was a welcome one, with attacks generated down either side of the pitch through Naim on the left and thanks to Juan Muñoz's orchestration behind Sabin Merino in the centre forward role. Juan Muñoz did not shy from directly attempting goal, with the locals conceding a corner after one such effort in the 38', as Avilés opened up the right wing and exposed the Xerez defensive to the Pepinero attacking threat. Just as the half drew to a close, Sabin cut back a ball to Naim, arriving late in the area, to tuck away low to the keeper's left. It was the academy graduate's first ever goal for the senior squad. 

Xerez penalty evens the score until Doukouré headed Nafti's men in front

The Leganés lineup went unaltered over the break, but the big news came in the 53' when Bello secured the equaliser for Xerez after converting a penalty won by Pulido Santana after appeals for a handball against Tarín were answered by the referee. Nafti brought on Doukouré. fresh back from injury, for Luis Perea as the half wore on and Randjelovć to replace Avilés. Soon after, Borja Garcés joined the fray up front in the place of Sabin Merino.

With less than ten minutes to go, Javi Hernández came on to relieve Naim in the 85'. But, the final drama in the match came even later in the 87', with Doukouré's header in the box meeting Omeruo's left-footed effort to score the decider and mark his first goal in a Leganés shirt. Xerez diligently sought a late equaliser, but the victory went back to Madrid in the end with Lega entering Friday's draw for the second elimination round, to be played on the 15th December.