Kylian Mbappe struck twice after Arda Güler’s opener as Real Madrid survived a late scare to beat Celta Vigo 3-2 on Sunday, conserving tempo with La Liga leaders Barcelona forward of subsequent weekend’s Clasico.
A day after Barcelona accomplished a slender comeback win at Valladolid, Madrid almost let a three-goal lead slip however held agency on the Santiago Bernabeu to keep up a four-point hole behind the league leaders.
The defending champions, at present second, dominated early however have been pressured right into a determined late stand towards a decided Celta aspect sitting seventh and aiming for European qualification.
Despite latest setbacks – together with elimination from the Champions League and a Copa del Rey last defeat to Barcelona – Madrid stay within the title race and hope to overhaul Hansi Flick’s aspect within the last stretch.
“We had a very good first half but fell apart – these things can’t happen. It’s happened to us a lot,” midfielder Federico Valverde instructed the membership’s tv channel. “We left them too many minutes to get comfortable. They’re a great team, and they put us in a tough spot.”
Carlo Ancelotti’s aspect got here into the match with a spate of defensive accidents however seized management after weathering early Celta probabilities, with 20-year-old Turkish midfielder Güler pulling the strings in Rodrygo’s absence on account of sickness.
Güler almost opened the scoring with an acrobatic overhead kick that flew simply broad within the opening phases, signaling his intent early.
Former Barcelona defender Marcos Alonso headed simply over and compelled a nice save from Thibaut Courtois as Celta threatened. At the opposite finish, Aurelien Tchouameni headed over when well-placed.
First-half firepower
Madrid broke via within the thirty third minute when Güler discovered house within the field and curled a superb shot previous Vicente Guaita to open the scoring.
Six minutes later, Mbappe doubled the lead on the finish of a lightning-fast counterattack. After Courtois denied Borja Iglesias, Jude Bellingham launched Mbappe, who rifled a shot previous Guaita from simply inside the realm.
Three minutes into the second half, Mbappe struck once more – his twenty fourth league purpose of the season – after Güler threaded a wonderfully weighted go via the protection. The Frenchman slotted a low end into the nook, closing in on Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski within the scoring charts.
Celta’s comeback bid
The hosts seemed to be cruising, however Javier Rodríguez pulled one again for Celta after a controversial nook. Lucas Vazquez had blocked Pablo Duran’s backheel effort on the road, however Rodríguez pounced on the rebound from shut vary.
Iago Aspas’ introduction gave the Galicians an attacking raise. He delivered a superb via ball for Williot Swedberg, who slotted residence Celta’s second previous Courtois.
Madrid had a nervy second late on when Duran’s shot slipped via Courtois’ arms, almost creeping throughout the road earlier than stopping on the grass.
Had Madrid dropped factors, Barcelona may have clinched the title with a Clasico win subsequent weekend.
“It’s the game of the year for us – the last chance to win La Liga,” Valverde mentioned. “We’ll try our best to take all three points.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com