Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Real Madrid held off a determined Celta Vigo 3-2 to maintain pressure on LaLiga leaders Barcelona ahead of next weekend’s crucial Clasico.
Following Barcelona’s narrow comeback victory at Valladolid on Saturday, Madrid’s hard-fought win Sunday preserves the four-point gap between the rivals before their highly anticipated meeting.
The defending champions, currently second in the standings, were forced to withstand intense late pressure from seventh-placed Celta, who harbor European qualification ambitions this season.
Despite their Champions League exit and Copa del Rey final defeat to Barcelona last week, Madrid remain hopeful of overtaking Hansi Flick’s side in the league race.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team entered the match facing defensive injury concerns but weathered early Celta opportunities before gaining control through 20-year-old Turkish midfielder Arda Guler’s creative influence. Filling in for the ill Rodrygo, Guler demonstrated his ambition with a spectacular overhead attempt in the opening stages.
Former Barcelona defender Marcos Alonso threatened with a header over the bar and forced an impressive save from Thibaut Courtois as Celta applied pressure. Aurelien Tchouameni missed a good heading opportunity for Madrid before the hosts stifled the visitors’ momentum.
Guler broke the deadlock after 33 minutes, cleverly creating space in the box before curling a brilliant strike beyond Vicente Guaita’s reach.
Mbappe doubled Madrid’s advantage six minutes later following a rapid counterattack. After Courtois denied Borja Iglesias, Madrid surged forward with Jude Bellingham freeing Mbappe down the right, who ruthlessly fired past Guaita from just inside the area.
Just three minutes into the second half, Mbappe struck again for his 24th league goal of the seasonโone behind Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski in the scoring charts. Guler provided the perfect assist, and Mbappe finished with a precise left-footed shot.
With Madrid seemingly cruising, Javier Rodriguez pulled one back for Celta from close range following a corner. Lucas Vazquez blocked Pablo Duran’s backheeled effort on the line, but Rodriguez pounced on the rebound.
Iago Aspas’s introduction immediately energized Celta’s attack, and his superb pass set up Williot Swedberg to slot past Courtois for their second goal.
Moments later, Courtois had a nervous moment when Duran’s shot slipped from his grasp and nearly crossed the line before coming to a stop on the grass. However, Madrid withstood the late pressure to secure all three points.
Had Madrid dropped points, Barcelona could have clinched the title with a victory in next weekend’s Clasico showdown.
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