Kylian Mbappé brace gives Real Madrid win over Celta Vigo
Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo
In a gripping LaLiga encounter at the Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over a resilient Celta Vigo side on Sunday, a result that kept their title aspirations alive while fending off a late comeback that threatened to derail their momentum. Spearheaded by a scintillating brace from Kylian Mbappé, the defending champions showcased their attacking prowess in the first hour, only to be tested by Celta’s spirited fightback in the final stages. The win, Madrid’s fourth in a row, ensured they remained within four points of league leaders Barcelona, setting the stage for a seismic Clasico showdown at the Camp Nou the following weekend. For Celta Vigo, the defeat marked their third loss in four league games, leaving them in seventh place and underscoring the fine margins that have defined their campaign. The match was a microcosm of both teams’ seasons—Madrid’s blend of brilliance and vulnerability, and Celta’s knack for troubling top sides without quite securing the results to match their ambition. As the Bernabéu faithful exhaled in relief at the final whistle, the focus swiftly turned to the looming battle with Barcelona, a fixture that could shape the destiny of the LaLiga title race.
Real Madrid entered the match with the weight of expectation firmly on their shoulders, knowing that any slip-up could widen the gap to Barcelona and jeopardize their chances of retaining the LaLiga crown. From the outset, Carlo Ancelotti’s side asserted their dominance, controlling possession and dictating the tempo with the swagger of champions. The breakthrough arrived just past the half-hour mark, courtesy of the precocious Arda Güler, whose burgeoning reputation as one of Europe’s brightest talents was further enhanced. Güler’s goal was a moment of individual brilliance, born from a cleverly worked short corner routine. Exchanging a quick one-two with Lucas Vázquez, the young Turk found himself in a tight angle on the right side of the box. With defenders converging, Güler unleashed a pinpoint left-footed shot that threaded through a narrow gap between Celta’s backline and nestled into the far corner, leaving goalkeeper Vicente Guaita with no chance. The Bernabéu erupted, celebrating not only the goal but the audacity of a teenager who continues to justify the hype surrounding him. Güler’s strike set the tone for Madrid’s first-half dominance, as they pressed for more against a Celta side struggling to find their footing.
Six minutes later, Real Madrid doubled their lead through the irrepressible Kylian Mbappé, whose clinical finishing underscored why he remains one of the world’s most lethal forwards. The goal originated from a moment of magic by Jude Bellingham, who, spotting Mbappé’s run, lofted a perfectly weighted ball over Celta’s high defensive line. Mbappé, with his blistering pace, latched onto the pass and surged into the opposition half, leaving defenders trailing in his wake. From the edge of the box, the Frenchman steadied himself before firing a right-footed shot that arrowed into the net, beyond Guaita’s despairing dive. The goal was a testament to Mbappé’s ability to combine raw athleticism with surgical precision, and it sent a clear message to Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski, who leads the LaLiga scoring charts with 25 goals, that Mbappé, with 24, is hot on his heels. The Bernabéu faithful, already in full voice, sensed a rout, as Madrid’s attacking trident of Mbappé, Bellingham, and Güler tore through Celta’s defense with relentless intent.
The second half began in similar fashion, with Real Madrid picking up where they left off. Just three minutes after the restart, Güler turned provider, threading a sublime through ball that dissected Celta’s backline and found Mbappé in stride. The 26-year-old, displaying the composure that has defined his career, took a touch before slotting the ball into the bottom-right corner, doubling his tally for the night and seemingly putting the game beyond Celta’s reach. The goal, Mbappé’s 24th in the league, was a reminder of his pivotal role in Madrid’s title chase, as well as his personal duel with Lewandowski for the Pichichi Trophy. At 3-0, the match appeared to be a foregone conclusion, with Madrid cruising and Celta, who had lost only two of their previous 11 league games, looking bereft of ideas. Federico Valverde, reflecting on the game to Real Madrid TV, acknowledged the team’s strong start but hinted at the challenges that lay ahead: “The most important thing was the win. We played a good first half, but then we fell apart ... They are a great team and they put us in trouble.” His words would prove prophetic, as Celta Vigo, far from capitulating, mounted a spirited comeback that tested Madrid’s resolve.
Celta Vigo’s resurgence began in the 69th minute, as they capitalized on a rare lapse in Madrid’s defensive concentration. A corner from Hugo Sotelo caused havoc in the Madrid penalty area, with the hosts failing to clear their lines. Javi Rodríguez, lurking at the back post, pounced on the loose ball and fired a close-range shot past Thibaut Courtois, igniting hope among the Celta players and their traveling supporters. The goal was a wake-up call for Madrid, who had grown complacent after their early dominance. Celta, buoyed by their lifeline, began to press with greater intensity, sensing an opportunity to exploit Madrid’s vulnerabilities. Seven minutes later, they struck again, this time through a moment of brilliance from veteran forward Iago Aspas. The Celta captain, whose experience and guile have long been a thorn in Madrid’s side, threaded a precise through ball to Williot Swedberg, who had made a clever run into the box. Swedberg, keeping his composure, slotted the ball past Courtois to make it 3-2, setting up a nervy finale. The Bernabéu, which had been a cauldron of noise, fell into a tense silence, as Celta’s fightback threatened to snatch a point from the jaws of defeat.
With the momentum firmly in Celta’s favor, Real Madrid were forced to dig deep to protect their slender lead. Celta, sensing a historic upset, threw everything at the hosts, with Aspas and Pablo Durán leading the charge. Courtois, however, proved to be Madrid’s savior, producing a string of crucial saves to deny Celta an equalizer. First, he thwarted Durán with a sprawling stop at the near post, before reacting instinctively to parry away a curling effort from Aspas in the dying moments. The Belgian goalkeeper’s heroics were a reminder of his importance to Madrid, particularly in high-stakes situations, and his performance ensured that Celta’s late surge came to nothing. As the final whistle blew, the relief among the Madrid players and fans was palpable, as they celebrated a victory that, while harder than expected, kept them firmly in the title race. Courtois, looking ahead to the Clasico, was already focused on the next challenge: “Now, let's get ready for next Sunday.” His words encapsulated the relentless demands of a season where every match feels like a final.
For Real Madrid, the win was a testament to their attacking firepower and resilience, but also a warning of the defensive frailties that could prove costly against Barcelona. Mbappé’s brace, Güler’s growing influence, and Bellingham’s creativity were all positives, but the ease with which Celta staged their comeback will give Ancelotti plenty to ponder. For Celta Vigo, the defeat was a bitter pill, as their spirited performance deserved more than a third loss in four games. Aspas and Swedberg’s contributions highlighted their potential to trouble any side, but their inability to convert late chances left them empty-handed. As Madrid turn their attention to the Clasico, a match that could define their season, Celta must regroup and refocus for their remaining fixtures. At the Bernabéu, however, this was a day of high drama, where Madrid’s stars shone just brightly enough to secure a vital three points.
