Match Overview
Final Score: Real Madrid 3-2 Celta Vigo
Venue: Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid
Real Madrid won over Celta Vigo securing a crucial 3-2 victory on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at the Santiago Bernabéu, keeping their La Liga title hopes alive. Real Madrid was able to establish a dominant 3-0 lead early in the second half, with Arda Güler opening and Kylian Mbappé adding an assist. Güler’s performance was particularly notable, contributing both a goal and an assist. However, Celta Vigo mounted a spirited comeback. Javi Rodríguez capitalized on a corner to score in the 69th minute, and Williot Swedberg narrowed the loss further in the 76th minute following an assist from Iago Aspas. Despite the pressure, Real Madrid managed to hold on for the win.
Key Moments
- 33’ – Goal by Arda Güler (Real Madrid 1-0 Celta Vigo)
- Güler opened the scoring with a clever buildup finish.
- 39’ – Goal by Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid 2-0 Celta Vigo)
- Mbappé doubled the lead with a strong strike, dominating on a defensive lapse.
- 48’ – Goal by Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid 3-0 Celta Vigo)
- Mbappé scored again early in the second half with a powerful effort to extend Madrid’s lead.
- 69’ – Goal by Javi Rodríguez (Real Madrid 3–1 Celta Vigo)
- Celta Vigo pulled one back through Rodríguez, shifting momentum slightly in their favor.
- 76′ – Goal by Williot Swedberg (Real Madrid 3–2 Celta Vigo)
- Swedberg scored a second for Celta Vigo, making it a tense final 15 minutes.
- Final Minutes – Defensive Hold
- Real Madrid held on under pressure as Celta pushed for an equalizer, with Courtois making a crucial late save.
Player Performances
Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappé: Mbappé netted twice, bringing his season tally to 35 goals. His first came from a lobbed assist by Jude Bellingham, and the second was set up by Arda Güler. His pace and finishing were instrumental in establishing Madrid’s early lead.
Arda Güler: The young Turkish midfielder opened the scoring with a precise left-footed shot and later assisted Mbappé’s second goal. His creativity and vision were pivotal in Madrid’s attacking play.
Thibaut Courtois: Returning from injury, Courtois made several crucial saves, particularly in the closing stages, to preserve Madrid’s lead.
Luka Modrić: Coming off the bench, the veteran midfielder orchestrated play with precision, providing an assist for Vinícius Júnior’s goal and bringing stability to the midfield.
Vinícius Júnior: Though quiet initially, Vinícius grew into the game.
Jude Bellingham: Deployed in a new position, Bellingham adapted well, assisting Mbappé’s first goal and contributing defensively.
Aurélien Tchouaméni: Operating as a third center-back, Tchouaméni made key defensive interventions, showcasing versatility in an unfamiliar role.
Eduardo Camavinga: His interception led to the opening goal, and he maintained composure in midfield during his 60-minute stint.
Celta Vigo
Javi Rodríguez & Williot Swedberg: Both players scored in the second half, capitalizing on Madrid’s defensive lapses to bring Celta back into contention.
Iago Aspas: The experienced forward provided a key assist for Swedberg’s goal and was instrumental in Celta’s attacking resurgence.
Match Statistics
Possession: Real Madrid 54% – 46% Celta Vigo
Shots on Target: Real Madrid 6 – 7 Celta Vigo
Total Shots: Real Madrid 17 – 14 Celta Vigo
Saves: Real Madrid 5 – 4 Celta Vigo
Corners: Real Madrid 4 – 6 Celta Vigo
Yellow Cards: Real Madrid 2 – 1 Celta Vigo
Manager Reactions
Following Real Madrid’s narrow 3-2 victory over Celta Vigo on May 4, 2025, both managers shared their perspectives on the match.
Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid)
Real Madrid’s head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, addressed the media after his team’s win, which saw them leading 3-0 before conceding two late goals. A significant talking point was his decision to substitute Raúl Asencio, a move that coincided with Celta’s resurgence. He acknowledged the team’s defensive vulnerabilities, attributing them to injuries that left six defenders unavailable. Despite the tense finish, Ancelotti emphasized the importance of the victory and praised Arda Güler for his continued development and recent goal-scoring form.
Claudio Giráldez (Celta Vigo)
Celta Vigo’s head coach, Claudio Giráldez, reflected on his team’s performance, noting their resilience in staging a late comeback. He emphasized the need for perfection when facing a team of Real Madrid’s caliber. “If we’re not perfect, we have nothing to do.” Giráldez highlighted the importance of focus, bravery, and efficiency in both defense and attack to compete against top-tier opponents. He also acknowledged Real Madrid’s depth and quality.
This victory keeps Real Madrid within four points of league leaders Barcelona, setting up a highly anticipated “El Clásico” next weekend.
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