There are no victories that do not cost, and Real Madrid proved it this afternoon against RC Celta, who sold their defeat at the Santiago Bernabéu (3-2). Claudio Giráldez’s team gave a brave, intense and determined performance, especially in the second half in which they put Los Merengues on the ropes and came close to an equalizer, but were not rewarded.
The match began with a declaration of intent on the part of the Celestes. In just six minutes, they had already created three clear chances, forcing Courtois to intervene and taking away the idea that this would be a simple match. The team pressed high, ran with sense and did not shrink from the chants of the Bernabéu. But if fate plays dice, soccer plays without rules, and it was the Merengues who opened the scoring. In the 32nd minute, Arda Güler brought out his left foot to make it 1-0 with an unstoppable shot from the edge of the area. And shortly thereafter, when Celta were close to an equalizer, the punishment came: a lethal Madrid counter ended in a goal by Mbappé after a saving save by Courtois in the opposing area. Two sparks of white talent left the scoreboard at 2-0 at halftime, too much punishment for a Celta that had been very much alive during the first 45 minutes.
After the break, Real Madrid wanted to close the match early, and succeeded with another goal by Mbappé in the 47th minute, this time from a measured pass by Güler. 3-0 and everything seemed to be settled. But the Galicians, far from giving up, sought the comeback. In the 68th minute, Javi Rodriguez took advantage of a corner to grab a rebound and cut the deficit. The goal gave wings to the Celestes, who continued to press with faith. Seven minutes later, Iago Aspas, who had just entered the field, provided an inch-perfect assist for Williot Swedberg to score and make it 3-2. With 15 minutes to go, the Bernabéu was silent and the game was wide open. Aspas led every attack, Pablo Durán had the equalizer in his boots and Courtois again saved his side. Guaita also appeared in the 88th minute with a saving save after a great shot from Bellingham. Celta tried until the final whistle, pushing Real Madrid into their own half and resisting as best they could the five minutes of added time.
There was no prize on the scoreboard, but there was in sensations. Celta gave their best, offered a show and proved that their 14 consecutive seasons in the First Division are more than justified. Now it is time to return to Abanca Balaídos, where next Saturday Claudio Giráldez’s pupils will welcome Sevilla FC with the intention of getting back to winning ways and continue making the Celtic temple a fortress.
FICHA TÉCNICA:
3 – Real Madrid: Courtois; Lucas Vázquez, Tchouaméni, Asencio (Jacobo, m.66), Fran García; Fede Valverde, Ceballos (Modric, m.74), Güler (Brahim, m.83), Bellingham; Vinícius and Mbappé.
2 – RC Celta: Guaita; Javi Rodríguez, Yoel Lago, Marcos Alonso; Carreira (Hugo Álvarez, m.54), Fran Beltrán (Ilaix, m.54), Sotelo (Iago Aspas, m.76), Mingueza; Fer López, Alfon González (Pablo Durán, m.65) and Borja Iglesias (Williot Swedberg, m.65).
Goles: 1-0, m.33: Güler. 2-0, m.39: Mbappé. 3-0, m.48: Mbappé. 3-1, m.69: Javi Rodríguez. 3-2, m.76: Williot Swedberg.
Árbitro: Jesús Gil Manzano. Yellow cards for Bellingham (45th minute) and Jacobo (95th minute) for Real Madrid; and Yoel Lago (62nd minute) for RC Celta.
Incidencias: Match corresponding to Matchday 34 of the EA SPORTS LALIGA played at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium in front of 67,661 spectators. A minute’s silence was observed following the death of Pope Francis.
