Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe scored twice on Sunday to help Los Blancos edge Celta Vigo 3-2 in a pulsating La Liga encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu, keeping their title hopes alive ahead of next weekend’s El Clasico.
Madrid surged to a 3-0 lead through goals from Arda Guler and a Mbappe double, but a spirited late rally from Celta saw the visitors pull two goals back through Javier Rodriguez and Williot Swedberg, leaving the home side clinging to victory at full-time.
The result ensures Real Madrid remain four points behind league leaders Barcelona, who had secured a narrow win at Valladolid a day earlier. The two sides are set for a decisive clash next Sunday that could determine the destination of the La Liga title.
“We had a very good first half, but then we fell apart,” admitted Madrid midfielder Fede Valverde. “It’s the game of the year for us next weekend — our last chance to win La Liga.”
Despite several defensive injuries, Madrid took control after surviving early pressure from seventh-placed Celta, with 20-year-old Turkish star Guler opening the scoring in the 33rd minute. Mbappe then netted in the 39th and 48th minutes, bringing his league tally to 24 goals this season — just one behind Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski.
However, Celta were not done. A controversial corner led to Rodriguez’s strike in the 64th minute, before Aspas set up Swedberg for a 78th-minute goal that tested Madrid’s resolve in the closing stages.
Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged the tense finish: “Yes, it could have been dealt with better. We suffered a bit, but it’s a nice victory.”
The game came just hours after tragedy struck the club’s fan base — 26-year-old Atalanta supporter Riccardo Claris was killed in a fight with Inter Milan fans the previous night. Madrid fans paid tribute with a banner that read “Claris everywhere with us.”
With three matches left and momentum at stake, all eyes now turn to the upcoming Clasico that could define the 2024/2025 La Liga season.
