In a thrilling encounter at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid edged out Celta Vigo with a hard-fought 3-2 victory on May 4, 2025. The home team, led by manager Carlo Ancelotti, initially dominated the match, taking a commanding 3-0 lead before facing a surprising comeback from the visitors.
Real Madrid started the match with a 4-2-3-1 formation, featuring Thibaut Courtois in goal, supported by a defensive line of Fran Garcia, Raoul Asensio, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Lucas Vazquez. The midfield duo of Federico Valverde and Dani Ceballos controlled the center, while the attacking trio of Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, and Arda Guler supported star forward Kylian Mbappe.
Celta Vigo, on the other hand, opted for a 3-4-2-1 strategy, with Vicente Guaita in goal and a defensive trio of Javier Rodriguez, Yoel Lago, and Marcos Alonso Mendoza. The midfield was manned by Sergio Carreira, Fran Beltran, Hugo Sotelo, and Oscar Mingueza, while Pere López and Alfonso González led the attack alongside Borja Iglesias.
Fans expected a comfortable win for Real Madrid, considering their strong home record of 13 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses in 16 matches this season, boasting an impressive 82% win rate. In contrast, Celta Vigo had struggled on the road, with only 3 wins from their 16 away games, resulting in a 39% win rate.
As anticipated, Real Madrid took control early in the match. In the 33rd minute, Arda Guler opened the scoring with a brilliant left-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area, finding the top left corner of the net with assistance from Lucas Vazquez. Just six minutes later, Kylian Mbappe doubled the lead, firing a right-footed shot into the top left corner after receiving a pass from Jude Bellingham.
The first half ended with Real Madrid leading 2-0, but the home side was not finished yet. Early in the second half, in the 48th minute, Mbappe struck again, this time capitalizing on a swift counter-attack. After receiving a pass from Guler, he sprinted towards the goal and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner, making it 3-0.
However, Celta Vigo was not ready to concede defeat. The visitors began their comeback in the 69th minute when Javier Rodriguez scored with a precise shot into the top right corner following a corner kick. Just seven minutes later, Williot Swedberg added another for Celta Vigo, reducing the deficit to 3-2 with a goal assisted by Iago Aspas.
Despite the late surge from Celta Vigo, Real Madrid held their nerve and managed to secure the win. The match ended 3-2 in favor of the home side, a result that keeps Real Madrid firmly in the title race, although they remain four points behind league leaders Barcelona, who currently sit at 79 points.
This victory marks an important milestone for Real Madrid, as they have now gone 21 matches unbeaten against Celta Vigo in La Liga, winning 19 of those encounters. The last time Celta Vigo triumphed over Real Madrid in the league was nearly 11 years ago.
As the season approaches its climax with only four matches remaining, Real Madrid faces a crucial challenge ahead. They are set to clash with Barcelona next weekend, a match that could significantly impact the title race. With 12 points still up for grabs, every game is vital as they strive to close the gap on their rivals.
Reflecting on the match, Real Madrid's manager Carlo Ancelotti praised his team's performance, particularly highlighting the contributions of Valverde, Guler, and Mbappe. "We showed great character and skill, especially in the first half," Ancelotti remarked. "However, we need to maintain our focus and composure in the final stages of matches. Celta Vigo made it tough for us, but we managed to secure the three points, which is what matters most."
Meanwhile, Celta Vigo's coach Claudio Giraldez expressed pride in his team's resilience. "We fought hard and showed that we can compete against the top teams. The comeback was a testament to our fighting spirit," he said. "While we didn't get the result we wanted, we can take a lot of positives from this match moving forward."
Looking ahead, Real Madrid must capitalize on their momentum as they prepare for the decisive match against Barcelona. The stakes are high, and the pressure will be immense, but with their current form and the star power of players like Mbappe, they remain in contention for the La Liga title.
As the season winds down, the excitement builds, and fans can expect thrilling football in the coming weeks. The battle for the championship is far from over, and every match will be crucial as teams vie for glory in one of the most competitive leagues in the world.
