Real Madrid left it late to safe a dramatic 2-1 win over Celta Vigo in La Liga, with captain Federico Valverde scoring a deflected winner deep into stoppage time to rescue three factors.
Madrid had taken an early lead at Balaidos after 11 minutes via Aurelien Tchouameni. A brief nook routine involving Trent Alexander-Arnold and Arda Guler labored the ball into house simply contained in the penalty space, the place Tchouameni produced a managed end into the far nook.
Regardless of going behind, Celta responded strongly and created a number of promising openings. Borja Iglesias was notably full of life within the early phases and compelled a pointy save from Thibaut Courtois after breaking into the realm.
Celta discovered their equaliser within the twenty fifth minute after capitalising on defensive uncertainty down Madrid’s proper aspect.
Williot Swedberg managed to recuperate possession after Alexander-Arnold misjudged a ball in behind, earlier than slicing it again into the center for Iglesias, who completed calmly from shut vary.
The hosts continued to threaten and got here near taking the lead earlier than half-time. Iglesias once more examined Courtois with a clipped effort via on objective, whereas Swedberg later pressured one other save with a first-time strike contained in the penalty space.
After the restart, Madrid loved much more possession however struggled to interrupt down a compact Celta defence. Lengthy spells of management produced restricted possibilities as the house aspect held their form and regarded to counter.
Vinicius Junior tried his luck from distance, however his effort was comfortably gathered by Celta goalkeeper Andrei Radu.
The guests thought they could have been awarded a penalty halfway via the second half when the ball struck the arm of Ferrán Jutgla contained in the field.
Nevertheless, referee Isidro Diaz de Mera dominated that Tchouameni had dedicated a foul within the build-up, and after a VAR test the choice stood.
Madrid continued to push ahead because the match entered its closing phases, although clear possibilities remained scarce.
Substitute Cesar Palacios noticed an effort blocked after a neat transfer on the sting of the realm, whereas a nook resulted in a wild strike over the bar from Antonio Rudiger.
Celta almost snatched a late winner themselves when substitute Iago Aspas discovered house contained in the penalty space throughout a counterattack. His low shot beat Courtois however struck the submit, permitting Madrid to outlive what would have been a serious setback within the title race.
As a substitute, the decisive second arrived within the 94th minute. Alexander-Arnold’s tried cross from the appropriate was partially cleared, with the free ball falling to Valverde on the sting of the realm.
The midfielder struck it first time and his effort took a deflection off Marcos Alonso earlier than flying into the highest nook.
