Celta Vigo 1-4 Real Madrid Liga Santander: match report, goals, action
A Cristiano Ronaldo double along with goals by Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos were enough to see Real Madrid move one step closer to winning their first league title in five yearsReal Madrid - Alavés: LaLiga 2017-18
Celta Vigo 1-4 Real Madrid: match report
Real Madrid moved one step closer to winning their first league title in five years with a victory over Celta Vigo in what turned into a heated affair at Balaidos on Wednesday night.
Ronaldo got Real Madrid off the mark after ten minutes when a neat move that started with Marcelo at left-back before finding its way to Isco and eventually Ronaldo as he made no mistake from just outside the box.
He made it 2-0 upon the resumption of the second half with Isco again the architect on a slick counter-attack. Ronaldo slotted home on 48 minutes to give Celta a massive hill to climb.
The game, at the point, felt like it might peter out but Iago Aspas was booked and sent off for a dive as he went down in the penalty area under a tackle from Sergio Ramos. The referee struggled to keep control after that as the game saw a total of eight bookings (five of them after Aspas' sending off).
John Guidetti gave Celta hope when he curled over Keylor Navas as a Sergio Ramos boot deflected it beyond the Costa Rican. It was just a consolation, however, as Karim Benzema put it to bed on 70 minutes when he slotted home a Marcelo pass to make it 3-1. Celta were down to ten men and were always going to struggle against a Real Madrid side that were growing in confidence.
Toni Kroos ended it as a contest when he slotted home after good work from Benzema on the edge of the square after 88 minutes. Barcelona play Eibar at home at the weekend and Real Madrid travel to Malaga knowing that a win will give them a league title in Zinedine Zidane's first full year in charge.
Celta Vigo 1-4 Real Madrid live stream online: second half
FT: That's it from Balaidos. A game that did not have a dirty kick in it in the first half turned into a proper battle in the second half as Real Madrid see off Celta.
Min 90+2 | Beauvue fouls Danilo as he tries to get to the ball ahead of the Brazilian.
Min 90 | Just a matter of Real Madrid seeing this one out now.
Min 88 | GOAL! GOAL! GOAL! Kroos slots home. Roncaglia gives it away deep in his own territory and Benzema plays it to the German. He cuts inside and finished. Game, set and match.
Celta Vigo substitution: Beauvue replaces john Guidetti.
Min 85 | It's kicking off again. Bablo Hernandez looks to have fouled Sergio Ramos and the spanish defender is not happy. He gets up and mouths something to the midfielder. Two yellows for both players. Meanwhile, Benzema misses a sitter after Modric puts it onto a plate for him.
Real Madrid substitution: Ronaldo and Isco are replaced by Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez.
Min 81 | Celta trying to build again but so muh more difficult with only 10 men.
Celta Vigo substitution: Pape Cheikh replaces Pione Sisto.
Min 77 | Danilo taken down by Tucu Hernandez. Play continues and Ronaldo tries a cross but it hits the hand of Roncaglia. Referee says no penalty. Celta scramble it away. This game has been absolutel carnage.
Min 76 | Isco buys himself a yard at the edge of the box but Sergio gets down well to his right and saves. This game has exploded into life!
Min 75 | The easiest chance of all time. Kroos put it on a plate for Ronaldo. He has three seconds to pick his spot but he hits it wide. He knows that was a proper sitter he just missed.
Min 74 | Wass has a strike but he drags it well wide.
Min 73 | Hugo Mallo is booked now for pulling back Benzema. Benzema can only smile as that is the most cynical foul you'll see.
Real Madrid substitution: Kovacic replaces Casemiro.
Celta Vigo substitutition: Marcelo Diaz replaces Jozabed.
Min 70 | GOAL! GOAL! GOAL! Straight up the other end and Benzema slots home from a Marcelo pass. Ronaldo to Benzema and the French striker continues his run before Marcelo puts it on a plate for him.
Min 69 | GOAL! GOAL! Guidetti finishes after receiving it from Sisto. Takes a massive deflection off Ramos and beats Navas as it loops over him. Game on at Balaidos.
Min 68 | Wass through on goal and he tries to curl one beyond Navas but the Costa Rican gets down well to his right.
Min 67 | Modric fouls Wass and the crowd want a yellow. The referee has been dishing them out with ease but that's not a yellow, it's just a foul.
Min 66 | Referee has lost control of this one. Mallo is fouled by Casemiro and he books Guidetti for protesting.
Min 64 | Now Ronaldo goes down in the box and the referee says no penalty. Really poor call again, it looks like. Johny wants a yellow for Ronaldo but instead, he gets one himself.
Min 62 | Celta Vigo dealt a real blow. Iago Aspas is booked for the second time as he is taken down by Sergio Ramos but the referee says that he dived.
Min 61 | Game has petered out slightly now. Celta Vigo showing signs of tiredness. Real Madrid trying to build. Danilo put through by Casemiro but the Brazilian can't reach it.
Min 59 | Mallo turns inside and crosses to Guidetti but Varane clears with his head.
Min 57 | Modric fouled by Wass. Another Real Madrid counter broken up.
Min 55 | Ronaldo clear through again but he plays it off to Isco and his efforts to get it back to Ronaldo fail. Real Madrid have been lethal. Soaking up Celta's pressure and countering with pure skill.
Min 53 | Modric squares to Isco, who has a crack. But it's blocked and rolls to Sergio.
Min 51 | Ball into the box, Guidetti lurking again but nothing falling for him. He was offside in any case.
Min 48 | GOAL! GOAL! GOAL! Ronaldo slots home after receiving the ball from Isco. Just seconds before, Guidetti has a golden opportunity but he couldn't get a shot away. Real Madrid counter and break Celta hearts and give themselves a huge advantage in the race LaLiga.
Min 46 | Back underway in Vigo!
Celta Vigo 0-1 Real Madrid live stream online: first half talking points
Ronaldo has not broken Jimmy Greaves' goalscoring record with 367 goals in the league.
Celta Vigo are just lacking that final ball and the kind of finish that Ronaldo applied to his strike. They are getting into good positions and continually getting chances away but have failed to make any of them count. Aspas the biggest culprit so far but Sisto and Guidetti not free of blame either.
That turned into somewhat of an onslaight by Celta Vigo as the half finished. They had nine efforts in total, to Real Madrid's four. The league leaders are looking disjointed and have failed to really build on their opening goal.
Celta Vigo have recorded 10 shots to Real Madrid's 4. That gives an indication of how much the home side dominated proceedings as the first half progressed.
Berizzo's boys are also ahead in the possession stakes - 57:43. The Madrid midfield need to gain a better foothold on the match.
Celta Vigo 0-1 Real Madrid live stream online: first half
HT: No time for anymore in the first half.
Min 45 | Kroos finds Benzema. the French striker shoots but Sergio Alvarez is equal to it. Looks like Benzema is injured from earlier.
Min 43 | Benzema down now in the penalty area but it looked like a fair challenge. No free or penalty.
Min 40 | Real Madrid try to respond to this onslaught but Benzema is offside (although replays suggest he might not have been). Aspas fouled by Marcelo as he tries to build again.
Min 38 | PENALTY SHOUT! Varane handles the ball as Johny tries to go around him. It was actually outside the box but Aspas is booked for his protests. Replays suggest it was definitely hand ball. No penalty though.
Min 37 | Aspas YET AGAIN! He curls wide with his left foot now. Balaidos really behind their team now. Real Madrid have no response as of yet. Although that strike by Ronaldo will help to ease their nerves.
Min 36 | Aspas has another effort. Drives it into the side netting. Celta are really starting to trouble their guests.
Min 34 | Guidetti with a falling out with Ramos now. He was the one who looked like he was fouled but Ramos won the free. Guidetti through on goal just after as Aspas chests him down a clearance but he can't get the ball out from under his feet. Another wasted chance.
Min 32 | Ramos gifts the ball to Aspas but the striker can't take advantage. He was looking for Guidetti but the Swede had drifted offside and took himself out of contention. Aspas has a shot in the end but it goes well wide.
Min 31 | Wass drills the ball straight at Navas. He parries it out to Roncaglia. But the central defender was offside. Celta Vigo knocking on the door.
Min 30 | Casemiro pulls Jozabed down and receives a booking. Free to Celta on the edge of the square.
Min 28 | Sisto loses out again and Benzema has it on the break but he's outmuscled and loses out. Ened-to-end stuff in the opening half an hour.
Min 27 | Ball across the box by Benzema is cleared by Roncaglia. Very dangerous. Last gasp tackle by the defender.
Min 26 | Pione Sisto has a shot that goes well wide. He has a number of options to either side of him and his teammates are not happy.
Min 24 | Cross into the area in search of Ronaldo by Isco. Sergio boxes it away and catches Ronaldo's elbow in the process.
Min 22 | Sisto fouls Casemiro. At the same time, Jonny pulls down Modric. Free for the first one though.
Min 20 | Danilo tries a through ball to Ronaldo but there's way to much sauce on it.
Min 19 | Cabral is the target again but his header floats up into the air and wide. Back to the drawing board for Celta.
Min 18 | Sisto has a crack that takes a deflection of Danilo. Corner to Celta Vigo.
Min 17 | Ball arrives in from Wass and Cabral gets a head to it but he can't direct it towards the goal. It bounces kindly in front of Keylor Navas.
Min 16 | Marcelo thrown off the ball and Celta Vigo build. Sisto is fouled by Casemiro and they have a free in a promising position.
Min 14 | Guidetti, Sisto and Jonny link up in the box but they struggle to make any space for themselves. Jonny has a shot from distance but Navas never troubled.
Min 13 | Celta looking to get back into this one. Nothing doing just yet but applying good pressure to Real Madrid.
Min 10 | GOAL! GOAL! GOAL! Ronaldo drives home. From a position that did not look dangerous at all. Marcelo sends the ball to Isco, he plays it centrally to Ronaldo and the Portuguese takes care of the rest.
Min 8 | Well-worked again by Celta but Sisto's shot is blocked. Real Madrid counter now but that move break down in the penalty area.
Min 7 | Sisto with a lovely through ball to Guidetti. He plays it back to Hernandez but his ball back over the top is too long.
Min 6 | Benzema makes his way into the box and tries a cross that takes a deflection off Mallo's foot. It nearly lands to Kroos but Celta clear the danger.
Min 5 | Isco loses out to Mallo but Celta fail to build. Throw to Real Madrid.
Min 4 | Mallo tries a long ball to Aspas but Ramos gets it away.
Min 2 | Aspas breaks free and passes to Wass with a through ball but it goes back to Navas. Guidetti puts pressure on Marcelo but the Brazilian manages to clear.
Min 1 | Lively start by Real Madrid. Ronaldo plays it to Modric, who passes it onto Danilo. The full-back has his shot blocked by Sisto.
Min 1 | We are underway at Balaidos. Ronaldo pulled down from the kick-off. He grimaces as he gets up off the ground.
Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid live stream online: line-ups
Celta Vigo starting team: Sergio, Mallo, Cabral, Roncaglia, Jonny, Hernandez, Jozabed, Wass, Aspas, Sisto, Guidetti.
Real Madrid starting team: Navas, Marcelo, Danilo, Ramos, Varane, Kroos, Casemiro, Modric, Isco, Benzema, Ronaldo.
Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid live stream online: latest news
20:57 | Real Madrid sporing all black as we get ready to kick off.
20:48 | No Pepe tonight but Elias Israel believes that the Portuguese defender deserved more than a standing ovation when he does finally play his last game for the club.
20:41 | Lionel Messi is walking away with the Pichichi award this season. He has scored 35 goals in 33 games in the league. Ronaldo has 22 in 27. With such high scoring rates, here are some of the better strikers we have seen in world football!
20:38 | The maritime climate that Vigo enjoy is in full swing tonight. 17 degrees and plenty of clouds. Ideal weather for some footy.
20:24 | Tonight will be Ronaldo's first away game since los Blancos played Athletic Bilbao on the 18th of March. All the team news is here.
20:08 | Eduardo Berizzo's contract is up at Celta Vigo in the summer. There is a strong case to be made that he is about to manage his last two games in Vigo. He could replace Jorge Sampaoli at Sevilla as he looks certain to take over the Argentina job.
19:59 | And so we have our team news! Nacho does not start despite having his yellow card suspension overturned. Danilo and Marcelo are the two full-backs and Ramos partners Varane in the centre. Meanwhile, Zidane's first choice midfield starts with Casemiro, Modric and Kroos and Isco keeps his place instead of Gareth Bale, who remains out injured. No sign of James or Alvaro Morata.
19:51 | There might be just a few games in the season left but there is plenty at stake for the likes of Real Madrid and their Champions League final opponent, Juventus. Massimiliano Allegri has offered a rally cry as his side are on the brink of wining a treble this season.
19:46 | Meanwhile, as Alvaro Morata's future hangs in the balance, Zinedine Zidane says that the Spanish striker was unhappy about something else after he refused to shake his manager's hand against Sevilla when he was taken off. Zidane had plenty to say at the pre-match press conference including Bale's situation, yellow card band looming and James Rodriguez' future.
19:34 | Zinedine zidane says he will not be taking Celta Vigo lightly tonight: "It’ll be difficult because Celta are a good team. We know that they’re a good opponent and it’ll be difficult, just like it was against Sevilla and will be against Malaga. I’m expecting the same Celta as always. They’ve got a very good team and they’ll play their game. Celta will give everything and it’ll be hard, but we’ll not change what we’ve been doing. We’re going to try to play really well in the two remaining games. What interests me the most is what we’re going to do".
19:25 | Cristiano Ronaldo is equal on goals with Jimmy Greaves - 366 - and could overtake the English hero tonight at Balaidos if he can get on the scoresheet. The comparisons between the two players, however, are unfair according to Terry Venables. He says Greaves was more like Lionel Messi.
19:21 | Spanish prosecutors stated that lawsuits have been filed against Radamel Falcao and Fabio Coentrao for allegedly hiding millions of euros in income from the tax office.
19:14 | Ronaldo, Isco and Lucas Vazquez need to be careful tonight or they could face a yellow card suspension for the final day of the season against Malaga. They are all just one booking away from a suspension should they go in the book tonight.
19:08 | Carles Puyol has weighed in on the eternal debate and says that while he respects what Cristiano Ronaldo has done, he believes that Lionel Messi is better.
18:59 | Celta Vigo have struggled recently in the league thanks to their committments in Europe but Alfredo Relaño believes Berizzo's side will push Real Madrid to the very limit tonight.
18:53 | Iago Aspas has also put pen to paper to ensure he stays in Celta Vigo's colours until 2022. He has been in sensational form this season, scoring 25 goals in 47 games, including 18 in the league.
18:52 | Nolito, who has suggested that he will leave Manchester City during the summer, has been linked with a move to Celta Vigo.
18:49 | As Barça and Real Madrid juke it out for LaLiga, Barcelona have a particularly difficult decision to make over their future manager. Ernesto Vaverde has been hotly-tipped to take over and he has an opt-out clause until May 31st.
18:46 | Celta Vigo are the only team to have beaten both Barcelona and Real Madrid this season.
18:39 | Real Madrid have been knocking records out of the park now all year. Ronaldo bagged his 400th goal for the club and Real Madrid scored in their 62nd game on the trot to equal Bayern Munich's record.
18:34 | The LaLiga table as it stands.
| Real Madrid | 37 | 77 |
87 |
| Barcelona | 36 | 60 | 87 |
| Real Madrid | 37 | 77 |
87 |
| Barcelona | 36 | 60 | 87 |
18:26 | It appeared as though James played his very last game for Real Madrid on Sunday night at the Santiago Bernabeu. He received a standing ovation and Elias Israel believes that when Pepe says his goodbye, he deserves that and more!
18:13 | Karim Benzema has only scored nine goals in LaLiga this season but the French attacker still harbours ambition of returning to Didier Deschamps' France squad.
18:09 | Real Madrid have scored in their last 36 LaLiga games, which is good enough to see them net in every game this season. They have never scored in every game in the league in a single season.
17:50 | With just over three hours to go until kick-off, here's a reminder of how and where to watch Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid this evening.
17:30 | Celta Vigo boss Eduardo Berizzo named his squad yesterday, omitting Theo Bongonda and telling reporters the Belgian needed "time to reflect".
16:55 | Here's more on the reaction in Catalonia to Nacho's yellow card being overturned.
16:10 | It's fair to say the decision to rescind Nacho's yellow card hasn't gone down well in Catalonia. "Another scandalous decision in Real Madrid's favour!" is the reaction of Barcelona-based daily Sport.
15:30 | Real Madrid defender Pepe is expected to join Inter Milan this summer after 10 years at the Bernabéu - and AS columnist Elías Israel reckons he should have been given the chance to say goodbye to the Bernabéu at the weekend.
15:05 | Zinedine Zidane spoke to the media on Tuesday ahead of today's game - here's what the Real Madrid boss had to say.
14:35 | More than one Real Madrid player goes into this evening's match against Celta one booking away from missing Sunday's crucial final-day clash at Málaga.
13:50 | Bad news for Real Madrid's Fabio Coentrao ahead of the game with news that a tax evasion lawsuit has been filed against him.
13:30 | Without doubt the best way to enjoy tonight's game is here via our live feed with Captain Robbie providing all the insight you could possibly need! Just in case you want to compliment that experience, here's our how/where to watch guide.
13:10 | Breaking: Nacho will be available for tonight's clash at Balaídos after having his yellow card against Sevilla overturned.
11:40 | Despite his one game ban still in place, Real Madrid name Nacho in Vigo squad.
10:45 | Tonight's game presents Celta with a wonderful opportunity to sooth the pain of last week's Europa League disappointment, claims Aldredo Relaño in his editorial column today.
10:00 | Hello and good morning. Join us for all the build-up ahead of Celta vs Real Madrid at Balaidos. A massive game that will go a long way in deciding the destination for the LaLiga 16/17 trophy.
Celta vs Real Madrid live stream online: match preview
Zinedine Zidane's side are just two games away from a first league title in five seasons. Four points from their remaining two fixtures will see the trophy cabinet supervisor at the Bernabeu making more space for another major honour. A defeat to the Galician outfit would however see a major shift in the title destination with both Barcelona and Madrid tied on points but the Catalan outfit ahead by virtue of a better head to head record after the 2-3 win for Luis Enrique’s men at the Bernabeu recently.
Tonight’s game was originally scheduled to be staged in early February but gale force storms provoked security issues for the supporters as chunks of the old stadium were torn from their holdings by the high speed winds. Real Madrid pushed for the game to go ahead and in doing so caused local authorities to become irked by their insistence and this perceived arrogance has added another layer of intrigue to this key fixture.
Celta also crashed out of the Europa League last week with a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford insufficient in turning the tie around and “Los Celestes” have a perfect opportunity in a morale boosting bounce-back by being the side that played a key role in denying Real Madrid a win that would see them establish a firmer grip on the LaLiga title.
Celta Vigo team news
Celta have been in erratic form recently in LaLiga as they Galician side deposited their hopes in securing a UEFA Europa Leage final berth in Solna. A poor 0-1 reverse at Balaidos in the first leg to Manchester United meant an uphill task at Old Trafford and a 1-1 draw was insufficient for the Spanish side to set up a final placing despite outplaying Mourinho's side for long spells at the "Theatre of Dreams".
Celta have a chance to heal the pain that the "Celestes" suffered at the hands of the Premier League giants and beating Real Madrid would certainly be an excellent starting point. Toto Berizzo will field his strongest side for the first time in LaLiga for over a month with the surprise omission of Bongonda after the Argentine coach felt the player needed "time to reflect".
Celta coach Berizzo analysed the importance of the game and having a major casting vote on the 2016/17 title destination: "It's a massive game due to so many factors and a chance for us to address our recent poor league form and our objective is to defeat an excellent Real Madrid side".
Real Madrid team news
Real Madrid's entire squad has been busy in recent weeks with Zidane's rotation policy ensuring everyone gets a crack but that plan will be tweaked for the Celta game. Cristiano Ronaldo is set to play having being rested in recent league fixtures, affirming the importance of the Balaidos match. This will be his first away game in LaLiga since the Athletic Bilbao game in the middle of March.
Gareth Bale remains out along with Dani Carvajal while Raphael Varane is expected to return to the defence and link up with Sergio Ramos. Zidane has a full complement to call from (apart from the previously mentioned tow absentees) and he is likely to use the same starting XI as in last week's Champions League semi-final second leg at the Vicente Calderon.
In his pre-match press interview this is what coach Zidane had to say about tonight's rivals Celta: "It'll be a tough game, because they're a good side. Just like the Sevilla game: we knew that they were really tough opposition. It'll be the same this time, just as it'll be at Málaga on Sunday. But, as always, I'm interested in what we do."
Real Madrid vs Celta: possible teams
Celta XI: Sergio, Cabral, Roncaglia, Mallo, Jonny, Wass, Radoja (or Jozabed), Hernandez, Aspas, Sisto and Guidetti
Real Madrid XI: Navas, Danilo, Varane, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Kroos, Casemiro, Modric, Isco, Benzema and Cristiano
Celta v Real Madrid: betting odds
The bookmakers very much see Celta as outsiders for tonight’s match despite playing at home. If you fancy a win for Berizzo’s side you stand to earn €13 for every euro deposited. If you fancy an outside flutter, Hugo Mallo as first goal-scorer pays out at an attractive 51/1.
Bet on Celta v Real Madrid now.