Guler’s opener, Mbappe’s brace, and late drama keep Bernabeu on edge ahead of El Clasico showdown
Real Madrid survived a late comeback scare to beat Celta Vigo 3–2 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday night. Kylian Mbappe scored twice and Arda Guler added a goal to give Madrid their fifth straight win. The result boosts their momentum ahead of next week’s much-awaited clash with rivals Barcelona.
Guler Breaks the Deadlock with Clever Set Piece
Real Madrid found their rhythm in the 33rd minute thanks to a short-corner routine that caught Celta off guard. Luka Modric passed it short to Guler, who shaped up and curled a left-footed shot towards goal. The ball took a deflection and looped into the top corner, leaving Celta goalkeeper Vicente Guaita with no chance.
The move was well-planned and well-timed. It brought the home crowd to life and gave Madrid the confidence to push forward.
Mbappe Makes His Mark
Just six minutes after Guler’s opener, Real Madrid struck again. This time, it came through a swift counterattack. Eduardo Camavinga won the ball deep in midfield and sent a quick pass to Vinicius Jr., who charged up the left wing. Vinicius found Mbappe in space, and the French striker smashed a right-footed shot high into the net.
The goal made it 2–0 and showed exactly why Madrid made a big move to sign the superstar forward.
After the break, Mbappe struck again. In the 48th minute, Guler played a perfect through ball behind the Celta defense. Mbappe raced onto it, stayed calm under pressure, and slotted the ball into the bottom corner with his left foot.
At 3–0, the match looked done and dusted. But Celta had other ideas.
Celta Vigo Fight Back
Despite the scoreline, Celta Vigo refused to give up. They started pressing higher and forced Madrid into errors. In the 69th minute, a corner caused chaos in the Madrid box. The defense failed to clear it, and substitute Javi Rodriguez reacted first. He poked the ball into the net from close range.
That goal gave the visitors new energy.
Just five minutes later, Celta struck again. Veteran forward Iago Aspas, known for his smart play, split the Madrid backline with a pinpoint pass. Williot Swedberg latched onto it and calmly placed the ball past Thibaut Courtois.
Suddenly, it was 3–2, and Real Madrid were under real pressure.
Nervy Finish at the Bernabeu
The last 15 minutes were intense. Both teams created chances, and the pace was frantic. In the 83rd minute, Aspas once again created a golden opportunity. He slipped in Pablo Duran, who got a shot off that slipped under Courtois. But the Madrid keeper quickly recovered and grabbed the ball before it crossed the line.
Real Madrid’s defense held firm in the final moments, with Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba making key clearances. The final whistle brought huge relief to the home fans.
Momentum Ahead of El Clasico
The win puts Real Madrid within just one point of league leaders Barcelona, who they face next weekend in a title-defining clash. Mbappe’s form will be key, as he has now scored six goals in his last four matches.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti praised his players afterward, saying, “We played well for long periods but lost focus at 3–0. That’s something we must fix. But the win is vital. We now look ahead to El Clasico.”
Guler Growing in Confidence
Arda Guler, still just 19, also earned praise for his mature display. The young midfielder has made the most of his recent starts, showing great vision and skill. His assist and goal were proof of his rising influence in the squad.
Guler said, “I’m happy to help the team. Playing with top players like Modric and Mbappe gives me confidence every day.”
Celta Vigo’s European Hopes Still Alive
Despite the loss, Celta Vigo remain in seventh place and continue to push for a spot in European competition. Coach Rafa Benitez said his team showed heart and fight. “We nearly got a result here. We made Madrid uncomfortable, and that shows our progress,” he said.
Aspas, who turned 37 this week, was a standout with two brilliant assists. If Celta can maintain this energy, they could still finish strong this season.
Real Madrid’s 3–2 win over Celta Vigo wasn’t perfect, but it showed their quality, depth, and determination. Mbappe’s double and Guler’s growing presence give fans reasons to be excited.
With Barcelona up next, Madrid will need to tighten their defense and stay focused. For now, though, they march on with another win—and another step closer to the top.