Madrid see off late comeback by Celta to stay within four points of LaLiga leaders Barcelona, whom they visit in next weekend’s El Clasico.
Kylian Mbappe struck twice as Real Madrid held off Celta Vigo with a thrilling 3-2 win to stay within sight of LaLiga leaders Barcelona, whom they face next weekend.
After the Catalans scraped a comeback win at Valladolid on Saturday, Madrid survived a late Celta fightback a day later to maintain the four-point gap ahead of next Sunday’s Clasico.
Defending champions Madrid, in second place, were left clinging on at the Santiago Bernabeu against a Celta side seventh and hoping to qualify for European football next season.
Madrid’s Champions League defence crumbled and Los Blancos were also beaten in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona last week, but Los Blancos are still hopeful of overhauling Hansi Flick’s side in LaLiga.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side came into the game with a spate of defensive injuries, but after riding out an early wave of Celta chances, took control, with 20-year-old Turkish Arda Guler pulling the strings.
With Rodrygo out with illness, the youngster started in his stead and took full advantage.
Guler directed a spectacular overhead effort wide of goal in the opening stages, showing his ambition has no limits.
Former Barcelona defender Marcos Alonso headed just over and then forced a fine save from Thibaut Courtois, as Celta threatened.
Aurelien Tchouameni headed over when well-placed at the other end, as Madrid stifled the visitors.
Madrid opened the scoring through Guler after 33 minutes, when the playmaker cleverly worked some space in the box and then brilliantly curled a strike past the reach of Vicente Guaita.
Mbappe doubled Madrid’s lead after 39 minutes at the sharp end of a rapid breakaway.
Courtois saved well from Borja Iglesias and immediately Madrid thrust forward, with Bellingham setting Mbappe free down the right.
The French superstar ruthlessly lashed past Guaita from just inside the area.
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