Real Madrid 5 – 2 Celta Vigo
Real Madrid secured a comfortable win over Celta Vigo with three late goals in extra time, bouncing back from a shaky performance. After a tough defeat in the Spanish Super Cup final, Madrid found themselves in a heated encounter against Celta Vigo, but the extra-time goals gave Carlo Ancelotti’s team a well-earned victory.
The match, played at Santiago Bernabéu on Thursday night, ended 5-2 in favor of Real Madrid.
Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring for the Spanish champions, and Vinícius Júnior extended their lead. Celta Vigo responded with Jonathan Bamba narrowing the gap before Marcos Alonso equalized from the penalty spot, sending the match into extra time.
After a lackluster first half, Real Madrid came back in the second half with three goals, breaking Celta Vigo’s hearts. Young Brazilian forward Endrick scored a brace, with another goal coming from Uruguay’s Federico Valverde.
Madrid had previously suffered a 5-2 loss to Barcelona in the Super Cup final, but they managed to win by the same scoreline in this match. However, unlike their commanding victory over teams like Hansi Flick’s side, Real Madrid faced significant challenges as Celta Vigo forced the game into extra time.
Celta Vigo had their first good opportunity in the 5th minute but couldn’t convert Carl Starfelt’s header. Moments later, Real Madrid’s Luka Modrić had his shot saved by Celta Vigo’s goalkeeper Iván Villar, who also denied Aurélien Tchouaméni’s powerful strike in the 14th minute.
In the 30th minute, Brahim Díaz nearly scored from a tough angle, but Villar managed to deny him with a foot save. However, in the 37th minute, Madrid broke the deadlock. Mbappé capitalized on a counter-attack, taking a strong shot after evading a defender to find the net.
There was some controversy surrounding the goal, as Celta Vigo’s Williot Swedberg was denied a penalty after a challenge from goalkeeper Andriy Lunin in the box, but the referee waved it off, and Madrid’s attack led to the opening goal.
After taking the lead, Madrid grew in confidence. Early in the second half, Vinícius scored in the 48th minute after a brilliant pass from Díaz. Mbappé had a chance to extend the lead in the 57th minute but missed a header from close range. Vinícius also saw his chip shot cleared off the line by Starfelt.
In the 69th minute, Celta Vigo’s Hugo Sotelo came close, but Lunin saved his powerful shot for a corner. Moments later, Madrid had a goal ruled out for offside as Vinícius set up Arda Güler.
Celta Vigo reduced the deficit in the 83rd minute, capitalizing on an error by French midfielder Eduardo Camavinga. Bamba, left unmarked, received the ball from Pablo Durán and scored with a calm finish.
In the added time, Celta Vigo earned a penalty in the first minute after Raúl Asensio fouled Bamba in the box, and Alonso converted the spot-kick to equalize.
Real Madrid nearly scored from a corner in the added time, but Antonio Rüdiger’s header hit the post.
Substitute Rodrygo created a chance early in the second half of extra time, but Villar saved his attempt. In the 108th minute, Endrick put Madrid ahead with a powerful strike from outside the box, beating Villar.
Four minutes later, Valverde extended the lead with a fierce shot from distance. Villar had no chance of stopping it.
In the 119th minute, Endrick completed his brace, scoring a backheel goal from Güler’s cross after a corner. This was his fourth goal in all competitions for Real Madrid.
