Real Madrid kept their La Liga title hopes alive on Sunday night as French superstar Kylian Mbappe netted twice to help Los Blancos secure a tense 3-2 victory over a determined Celta Vigo side at the Santiago Bernabeu. The result ensured that Carlo Ancelotti’s men remain four points behind league leaders Barcelona ahead of the much-anticipated El Clasico showdown next weekend.
The game, which began with both teams under pressure, especially Madrid—dealing with a wave of injuries to key defenders—eventually turned into a high-octane contest filled with flair, drama, and nervous moments. Celta Vigo, sitting seventh and chasing European qualification, gave a good account of themselves, forcing Real Madrid to fight hard despite taking a commanding 3-0 lead.
Mbappe, who has continued to justify his world-class status since joining Madrid, delivered a clinical performance. His two goals on the night took his tally in the Spanish top flight to 24 for the season, just one behind Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski in the race for the Pichichi.
Madrid opened the scoring in the 33rd minute through 20-year-old Turkish midfielder Arda Guler. Making a rare start in the absence of Rodrygo Goes, who was sidelined due to illness, Guler impressed with his vision and control. He carved out space in the box before curling a stunning strike past Vicente Guaita to give Madrid the lead.
Just six minutes later, the home side doubled their advantage. After a vital save from Thibaut Courtois denied Celta a potential equaliser, Madrid launched a blistering counter-attack. Jude Bellingham fed Mbappe with a precise through ball, and the Frenchman made no mistake, firing low and hard into the bottom corner to make it 2-0.
Mbappe struck again early in the second half, latching onto another incisive pass from Guler and finishing with his left foot to give Real Madrid what seemed an unassailable 3-0 lead. At that point, the Bernabeu faithful appeared set for a comfortable evening.
But the visitors had other plans.
Celta Vigo were gifted a corner in controversial fashion, and although Pablo Duran’s backheel was blocked on the line by Lucas Vazquez, Javier Rodriguez reacted quickest to stab home the rebound and reduce the deficit. The goal injected life into the Galician side, who piled on the pressure as Madrid began to show signs of vulnerability.
The momentum swung further in Celta’s favour when Iago Aspas, introduced as a substitute, delivered a perfectly weighted ball to Williot Swedberg, who coolly slotted past Courtois to make it 3-2 and set up a nervy finish. Madrid’s Belgian shot-stopper narrowly avoided embarrassment moments later when Duran’s low strike squirmed under him but mercifully stopped short of the goal line.
Real Madrid ultimately held on to take all three points, but coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted his side had allowed the game to slip out of their control in the closing stages.
“We had a very good first half but lost our structure. We’ve seen this happen to us before. We suffered, but it’s still a valuable win,” Ancelotti said post-match.
Midfielder Fede Valverde echoed similar sentiments, stating that the upcoming Clasico would be decisive in Madrid’s push to retain their La Liga crown.
“It’s the match of the season for us, the last opportunity we have to take control of the title race. We must give it everything,” Valverde told the club’s official channel.
Madrid’s dramatic win ensures the title race remains open, though Barcelona’s hard-fought comeback against Valladolid the day before means Hansi Flick’s men still have the upper hand. All eyes will now turn to next weekend’s El Clasico, where the fate of the title could be heavily influenced by the outcome.
