Real Madrid withstands late challenge from Celta Vigo to maintain LaLiga title aspirations

Real Madrid secured their fourth consecutive league victory with a thrilling 3-2 win over RC Celta de Vigo, keeping their LaLiga title hopes alive just days before the crucial El Clásico clash.

The match kicked off with both teams showing plenty of intent, but it was Marcos Alonso’s header that came closest to breaking the deadlock, forcing an impressive save from Thibaut Courtois to deny Celta early on.

As expected, Real Madrid dominated possession for a large portion of the first half and finally found the net just before the half-hour mark, when Arda Güler’s shot found its way into the top corner, helped by a minor deflection off Alonso.

Los Blancos quickly doubled their lead just six minutes later, with Courtois making a crucial save that initiated a rapid counter-attack, leading to Kylian Mbappé’s precise finish, leaving Vicente Guaita with no chance.

Real Madrid wasted no time in effectively sealing the game after the break, as Güler’s perfectly timed through ball sent Mbappé clear, allowing him to slide the ball into the net.

However, Celta sparked a flicker of hope when Javi Rodríguez found the net from close range with just over twenty minutes remaining, and things became tense when veteran Iago Aspas set up Williot Swedberg, who brilliantly finished to bring the score to 3-2.

In a chaotic finish, Real nearly relinquished their lead, with Pablo Durán bearing down on goal and seeing his low effort slip beneath Courtois, but fortunately for the visitors, it failed to cross the line.

Despite a late surge, Celta de Vigo couldn’t manage to equalise, extending their winless streak against Real to 19 matches since their last win in January 2017 (D3, L16).

Nonetheless, fans need not worry too much as their seventh-place standing could see them return to European competition for the first time in nine years, provided they fend off their rivals.

As for Real, with the gap to league leaders Barcelona now reduced to four points and only four matches remaining, the upcoming clash between these fierce rivals is set to be a thrilling encounter.

Check out the match summary here