Vinicius, Mbappe help Madrid edge past Celta as unbeaten run continues

Vinicius Junior scored the winner to give Real Madrid a 2-1 victory against Celta Vigo in a hard-fought Liga encounter.

Madrid looked a shadow of their usual selves before a touch of brilliance from Kylian Mbappe gave them a 20th-0minute lead. The opener came after Williot Swedberg had missed two glorious chances for the hosts, with Thibaut Courtois saving his second effort.

However, Celta were rewarded for their efforts in the second half with youngster Swedberg taking his opportunity to level the scores.

Madrid looked shaken by the equaliser but were calmed by the presence of substitute Luka Modric. With his second touch of the ball Modric unleashed Vinicius to calmly beat the goalkeeper for what would be the winner.

Celta would give their visitors one last fright with substitute Anastasios Douvikas meeting a cross inside the box at the death, but putting his effort wide.

Carlo Ancelotti has work to do if Madrid are going to maintain their unbeaten record at home to Borussia Dortmund in midweek and then Barcelona in El Clasico next weekend.

Talking Point – All is not perfect at Real Madrid despite taking three points

Real Madrid coach Ancelotti could not hide his frustration as his side gifted Celta Vigo chances during their 2-1 victory.

The forward line of Vinicius, Mbappe and Jude Bellingham were found guilty of being complacent and showed their frustration at each other, but showed class to win the game.

At the back, Ancelotti’s side were cut open on too many occasions and a more ruthless side would have punished them.

Despite closing the gap to Barcelona in La Liga, the performance against Celta will be one to forget.

Player of the Match – Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)

Goals win matches and despite not being at his best Vinicius popped up with the winning moment.

Vinicius had the Celta Vigo defenders worried from the outset and had several dangerous efforts at goal in the first half.

When substitute Modric played him through on goal in the second half there was only one outcome as he slid the ball past the goalkeeper.

The performance was blighted slightly by failing to pass in the first half and going alone when Bellingham was open, with the English forward letting out his frustration at the decision.

Player Ratings

Celta Vigo: Guaita 6, Manquillo 7, Starfelt 6, Alonso 6, Alvarez 6, Beltran 7, Sotelo 6, Mingueza 6, Swedberg 7, Iglesias 6, Bamba 7. Subs: Dominguez 6, Douvikas 6, Duran 6, Gonzalez 6, D Rodriguez 6, J Rodriguez 6, Villar 6

Real Madrid: Courtois 8, Lucas 6, Militao 6, Rudiger 6, Garcia 6, Valverde 7, Tchouameni 6, Camavinga 7, Bellingham 7, Mbappe 7, Vinicius Junior 8. Subs: Ceballos 6, Mendy 6, Modric 8, Rodrygo 6

Match Highlights

7’ – SWEDBERG HAS EFFORT SAVED: It’s a glorious chance for the visitors as Swedberg is releases through on goal with only the ‘keeper to beat. However, goalkeeper Courtois gets his foot to the soft shot.

20’ – GOAL! CELTA VIGO 0 REAL MADRID 1 (MBAPPE): Celta are caught playing the ball around the back with the ball intercepted into the path of Mbappe. The forward picks his spot and guides the ball into the top corner from outside the box.

51’ – GOAL! CELTA VIGO 1 (SWEDBERG) REAL MADRID 1: Swedberg fires Celta level as the visitors fail to put pressure on the ball. Mingueza plays a one-two with Bamba before whipping in a beautiful ball for Swedberg to net.

66 – GOAL! CELTA VIGO 1 REAL MADRID 2 (VINICIUS JUNIOR): With almost his first touch of the game Modric plays a perfect ball into the path of Vinicius Junior who calmly slots the ball past the goalkeeper.

90+2 – CELTA WASTE CHANCE: Gonzalez does brilliantly taking on and drawing in his marker before finding Douvikas racing into the box. However, the substitute puts his effort wide when he should have netted.

Key Stats

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