Real Madrid Survive Celta Vigo Scare to Keep La Liga Title Hopes Alive

Real Madrid nearly let a comfortable lead slip as they edged past a spirited Celta Vigo side 3–2 in Matchday 34 of La Liga, clinging to three crucial points in their bid for the Spanish crown.

Despite playing at the Santiago Bernabéu and entering as clear favourites, Los Blancos were put under immediate pressure. Two early corners from Celta nearly led to disaster — Alonso fired just over the bar, and Thibaut Courtois was forced into a sharp save to deny Lago.

The breakthrough came in the 33rd minute, when Turkish starlet Arda Güler found the top corner after a slick assist from Lucas Vázquez. From there, it looked like a routine evening for Carlo Ancelotti’s men, especially after a clinical double from Kylian Mbappé.

The Frenchman first slotted the ball home from a delightful Jude Bellingham through ball, then added his second minutes later after a perfectly weighted assist from Güler. With the score at 3–0 by the 48th minute, Madrid looked set to cruise.

But Celta Vigo had other ideas. In the 69th minute, Galiano pounced on a loose ball to reduce the deficit. Just minutes later, Hugo Sotelo — on a sharp assist from Iago Aspas — fired low into the corner, bringing the visitors within one and shaking the home crowd.

It could have been even worse for Madrid: Duran nearly equalised, but Courtois produced a stunning save to preserve the lead. Deep into stoppage time, Mbappé had a golden chance to complete his hat-trick, but blazed his shot over the bar — a rare miss on an otherwise brilliant night.

Madrid held on for a tense 3–2 victory, keeping their title hopes intact while offering a reminder: no lead is safe in La Liga.

2024-25, Spain - La Liga

Real - Celta 3:2 (2:0)
Goals: Güler A., 33 (1:0); Mbappé, 40 (2:0); Mbappé, 48 (3:0); Galiano J., 69 (3:1); Swedberg, 76 (3:2)

Real: Courtois; García Fr.; Asencio R. (Naveros, 66); Tchouaméni; Güler A. (Diaz Br., 83); Vazquez L.; Dani Ceballos (Modric, 74); Bellingham; Valverde F.; Vinícius Júnior; Mbappé
Bench: Lunin Andriy; Mestre; Vallejo; Endrick
Yellow Cards: Bellingham 45; Naveros 96

Celta: Guaita; Mingueza; Carreira (Alvarez H., 54); Alonso M.; Galiano J.; Sotelo (Aspas, 75); Beltrán (Moriba, 54); Lopeez F.; Lago; Iglesias (Swedberg, 65); González A.M. (Durán, 65)
Bench: Villar; Domínguez C.; Sousa D.; Jailson; Losada; Ristič M.; Cervi
Yellow Cards: Lago 62