Real Madrid maintained their firm grip on the La Liga title race with a commanding 4-0 victory over Celta Vigo at the Bernabeu, stretching their lead at the top to seven points. Vinicius Jr. opened the scoring in the 21st minute, followed by two own goals and a late strike from Arda Guler, securing another crucial win for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Despite facing pressure to respond after wins from title contenders Girona and Barcelona, Real Madrid delivered a dominant performance against Celta Vigo. Vinicius Jr.’s early goal set the tone for the match, as Real controlled majority of the game.
The lead was doubled in the 78th minute when Antonio Rudiger’s header from a Luka Modric corner rattled the crossbar before deflecting off Vincente Guaita and into the net. Despite Guaita’s commendable performance, he was unfortunate to concede an own goal late in the game when he failed to deal with Vinicius’ cross, resulting in an unfortunate deflection off Carlos Dominguez.
The home crowd erupted in celebration as young Turkish talent Arda Guler found the back of the net with virtually the last touch of the game, securing his maiden goal for Real Madrid.
Celta Vigo, currently hovering just above the relegation zone, struggled to make an impact throughout the match, further compounded by Real Madrid’s defensive solidity.
The match was not without controversy, as Vinicius Jr narrowly escaped a red card after an altercation with Oscar Mingueza. However, both players received yellow cards, preserving Real’s numerical advantage.
With Jude Bellingham’s absence due to suspension, Brahim Diaz stepped up admirably in midfield, highlighting Real Madrid’s depth in squad quality.
Looking ahead, Real Madrid’s attacking prowess, potentially bolstered by the addition of Kylian Mbappe next season, positions them as formidable contenders for European glory. However, for the current campaign, maintaining the fitness and availability of key players like Vinicius Jr. and Bellingham will be paramount to their title aspirations.