Real Madrid 3-2 Celta Vigo: Mbappé brace keeps Madrid’s title hopes alive ahead of season-defining Clásico | OneFootball

Real Madrid edged past Celta Vigo with a 3-2 victory at the Santiago Bernabéu thanks to a Kylian Mbappé brace and a thunderous opener from Arda Güler. The win sees Carlo Ancelotti’s side close the gap to La Liga leaders Barcelona to just four points with as many games remaining, setting the stage for a high-stakes Clásico next weekend.

Los Blancos looked in complete control at 3-0 early in the second half, but a spirited late fightback from Celta ensured a nervy finish. Goals from Javi Rodríguez and Williot Swedberg gave the visitors hope, but Real held on to secure three crucial points in the title race.

As it happened

Celta Vigo made an enterprising start and nearly took the lead on multiple occasions in the opening 10 minutes. Óscar Mingueza and Yoel Lago both came close from set pieces, only to be denied by the alert Thibaut Courtois.

However, it was the hosts who broke the deadlock just after the half-hour mark. Güler played a quick one-two with Lucas Vázquez from a short corner before unleashing a deflected strike that soared into the top corner.

Mbappé doubled the advantage soon after, latching onto Jude Bellingham’s incisive through-ball and finishing emphatically. It was 2-0 at the break, and the Frenchman struck again just three minutes into the second half. This time, it was Güler who threaded the needle, splitting the Celta defence for Mbappé to race in and finish low into the corner.

Despite Madrid’s dominance, Celta found a way back. Javi Rodríguez capitalised on a loose ball following a corner and smashed home from close range to make it 3-1. Substitute Iago Aspas then delivered a perfect through-ball for Swedberg, who calmly slotted home to bring the visitors within one goal.

Madrid were forced to dig deep in the final minutes, with Courtois denying Pablo Durán and Vicente Guaita saving from Brahim .In the end, the hosts held firm to take all three points ahead of a monumental showdown with Barcelona at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on the afternoon of 11 May.

The lineups

RMA: Courtois; Vázquez, Tchouaméni, Asencio, Garcia; Ceballos, Valverde; Güler, Bellingham, Vinícius Jr.; Mbappé

CEL: Guaita; Rodríguez, Lago, Alonso; Carreira, Beltrán, Sotelo, Mingueza; López, González; Iglesias