Real Madrid narrowly avoided a comeback by Celta Vigo and stayed within reach of Barcelona, setting the stage for an anticipated face-off in their upcoming “clasico” next weekend in the Spanish league.
In the thrilling encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, Kylian Mbappé showcased his skill by netting two goals, one in each half, and ensuring Madrid’s 3-2 victory which kept them four points behind their rivals from Catalonia. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed optimism, stating, “La Liga is in Barcelona’s hands, but winning would certainly increase our chances. It’s a significant opportunity. We’re committed to preparing for Sunday’s game—though it might not be the final verdict on the season, it’s undeniably crucial.”
Early in the second half, teenager Arda Güler added to Madrid’s lead, bringing the score to 3-0. However, Celta mounted a spirited comeback with late goals, courtesy of Javi Rodríguez and Williot Swedberg, to keep the home fans on edge. Celta nearly leveled, as Pablo Durán’s attempt was dramatically thwarted, stopping short of the goal line after hitting Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in the 78th minute. The Belgian keeper was instrumental in maintaining the lead with critical saves in the dying minutes. Reflecting on the match, Ancelotti commented, “We excelled for an hour; managing the advantage could have been better, but nonetheless, it was a satisfying win.”
Over at Barcelona, they managed a narrow 2-1 victory against Valladolid, who sit at the bottom of the league table. This win came as coach Hansi Flick decided to rest key players in anticipation of their upcoming Champions League semifinal clash with Inter Milan, following a 3-3 draw in their first leg.
In Madrid’s match, Güler opened the scoring with a stunning strike in the 33rd minute. Mbappé extended the lead by adding a pair of goals in quick succession—one just before halftime and another at the beginning of the second half. The French forward had been on a league dry spell since March. But the anticipated easy win turned tense when Celta’s fightback began with Rodríguez and Swedberg’s goals. Shortly after, Durán’s close call left the crowd anxious as the ball dramatically spun short of crossing the line. Celta striker Borja Iglesias lamented, “We were so close. Pablo’s shot was almost in. It just wasn’t our day.” Celta’s recent form saw them coming off a dominant 3-0 triumph over Villarreal, and they maintain their position in seventh place.
Despite holding onto the lead, Real Madrid faced some critical moments near the end, drawing a few boos from supporters at the Bernabeu. The victory marked Madrid’s fourth consecutive league success but comes on the back of a Copa del Rey final loss to Barcelona and a Champions League exit at the hands of Arsenal. Ancelotti noted, “Our previous game against Barcelona was tight and nearly ours. We know what’s at stake but won’t overcomplicate things. It’s vital, and we’ll face it confidently. Given the challenges we’ve had, being in this fight is rewarding.” The presence and form of Mbappé are seen as key, with Ancelotti highlighting his importance against Barcelona’s known high defensive line. Unfortunately, forward Rodrygo was missing from the squad due to illness.
Elsewhere, the Basque Country derby featured Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad, ending in a goalless draw. Athletic is closely holding onto fourth place, three points ahead of Villarreal but chasing Atletico Madrid in third. Meanwhile, Real Sociedad remains midtable with their winless run stretching to four games.
In other league results on Sunday, Sevilla and Leganes played to a 2-2 draw, positioning Sevilla at 15th and Leganes closer to the bottom, while Real Betis edged Espanyol 2-1, securing sixth place in the standings.