Real Madrid 3-2 Celta Vigo: Los Blancos maintain four-point distance from Barcelona ahead of El Clasico title decider
It was expected of Real Madrid to emerge unscathed from this tie, at least if they were to continue maintaining any semblance of a title challenge. Los Blancos are four points behind league leaders Barcelona, while Celta Vigo are seventh and have lost two of their last three.
Certainly all appearances from kick-off indicated a straightforward test. Arda Guler opened the scoring in the 33rd minute and six minutes later Kylian Mbappe made it two. The Frenchman then added his second Real Madrid’s third and it looked like the tie was conclusively over.
Then inertia set in late in the second half and Celta Vigo pounced. Javi Rodriguez pulled one back in the 69th minute and Williot Swedberg made it two just a few minutes later. It could have been three but Thibaut Courtois managed to save after the excellent Iago Aspas had put Pablo Duran through on goal.
In the end, what seemed like it would be a comfortable win for much of the match turned into a nervy finish – where Celta Vigo were always looking like they could score and complete a remarkable comeback at the Santiago Bernabeu. A draw in this game would have seen Madrid drop as far as six points behind Barcelona, effectively ending any contest for the La Liga title.
As it stands, next Sunday’s El Clasico is all-important, as a win for Los Blancos would see them close the gap from their rivals to one point.
