Real Madrid narrowly escaped a late collapse at the Santiago Bernabéu, edging Celta Vigo 3-2 in a frantic encounter that keeps their La Liga title hopes alive. It was a match defined by individual brilliance and defensive frailty, as Carlo Ancelotti’s side held on to three crucial points despite a spirited second-half surge from the visitors.
Arda Güler, making the most of a rare start in place of the ill Rodrygo, opened the scoring with a sublime strike in the 33rd minute. After a short corner routine with Lucas Vázquez, the 20-year-old Turkish starlet curled a left-footed effort into the top corner, breaking the deadlock in style. It was a much-needed spark in an otherwise sluggish opening half-hour from Los Blancos.
Six minutes later, Jude Bellingham launched a devastating counterattack, releasing Kylian Mbappé down the right. The Frenchman took a touch before lashing a ferocious shot past Vicente Guaita into the same top corner Güler had found moments earlier. Mbappé doubled his tally just three minutes into the second half, coolly slotting home after a perfectly weighted through ball from Güler. The goal marked his 24th in La Liga, putting him just one behind Robert Lewandowski in the race for the Pichichi Trophy.
With a 3-0 lead, Madrid appeared to be cruising. But a lapse in focus and structure let Celta Vigo back into the game. A poorly defended corner allowed Javi Rodríguez to poke home from close range in the 69th minute after Lucas Vázquez’s failed clearance. Minutes later, substitute Iago Aspas threaded a clever pass into the path of Williot Swedberg, who calmly beat Thibaut Courtois to make it 3-2.
The final stretch was tense, with Pablo Durán nearly snatching an equalizer for Celta, only to see his effort narrowly kept out by Courtois and the slow Bernabéu turf. Ancelotti, visibly frustrated on the touchline, could only watch as his team scrambled to retain their advantage.
Güler was the standout performer, not just for his goal and assist, but for his poise and initiative throughout. In contrast, veterans like Dani Ceballos and Luka Modrić faded as the game wore on, and Madrid’s defensive structure crumbled in the closing stages.
Despite the nervy finish, Real Madrid’s victory keeps them within four points of Barcelona with four matches to play. Next weekend’s Clásico at the Camp Nou looms large a potential title decider. For now, Madrid breathes a sigh of relief, with Güler’s breakout performance and Mbappé’s finishing touch giving them hope in the tense run-in.
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