The weekend’s La Liga action wrapped up with Real Madrid, who had lost top spot slip from their grasp last week and are now chasing Barcelona. The Catalans had already won earlier in the round, so anything less than three points at the Bernabéu against Celta was unthinkable for Kylian Mbappé and company – even with Trent still struggling to settle in the Spanish capital after his recent injury layoff.
Real dominated possession and territory from the start, but their attacks were painfully predictable and they kept leaving themselves open to Celta’s sharp counters. The first real chance fell to Éder Militão, who won a header from a corner, but Radu made a fine diving save from the Brazilian’s effort. Arda Güler was the main bright spark: first he forced another good stop from Radu with a long-range drive, then he nearly scored himself after good work from Vinícius and Mbappé – the Turkish youngster fired just wide from nine yards.
On 24 minutes Militão pulled up injured and had to be replaced by Rüdiger. Just before half-time Vinícius hammered a shot from inside the box that Radu blocked with his body, and the whistle blew with Real well on top but still level.
They kept pushing after the break… and got punished. Ilaix Moriba picked out Bryan Zaragoza on the left, the cut-back found Williot Swedberg – on as a second-half substitute – and the Swede brilliantly backheeled it past Courtois. 0-1.
Worse was to come for the hosts. Midway through the second half Fran García managed to pick up two yellows in the space of a minute: the first for pulling an opponent back in midfield, the second a reckless lunge that could easily have been straight red. Down to ten men, Real still created chances. Mbappé rounded the keeper but instead of shooting passed to Tchouaméni, whose effort was blocked. Moments later Mbappé wasted a one-on-one, chipping both Radu and the bar. Tchouaméni then headed a Rodrigo cross straight at the keeper from a free-kick routine.
The missed chances proved costly. Deep into stoppage time Celta’s Carlos Dotor picked up two quick yellows for dissent, but right before the visitors broke away: Iago Aspas slipped Swedberg through and the young Swede calmly slotted his second of the night past Courtois. 0-2.
Real Madrid fall to a humiliating home defeat against Celta and let Barcelona pull further clear at the top of the table.