Real Madrid secured a crucial 3-2 victory over Celta Vigo at Santiago Bernabeu, maintaining their La Liga title hopes. Arda Guler opened the scoring for Madrid, followed by two goals from Kylian Mbappe, which put them in a commanding position. Celta Vigo mounted a comeback with goals from Javi Rodriguez and Williot Swedberg, causing tension in the final minutes. Despite a spirited effort from Celta, Real Madrid held firm, aided by key saves from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. The victory keeps Madrid within four points of Barcelona, setting up a decisive Clasico match next weekend.

Real Madrid needed a win to remain in the La Liga title race, trailing Barcelona by four points with an upcoming Clasico. Arda Guler's early goal and Kylian Mbappe's double put them in control against Celta Vigo.

Celta Vigo, trailing 3-0, made impactful substitutions, with Iago Aspas assisting Williot Swedberg's goal, which brought the score to 3-2, creating late-game tension.

Thibaut Courtois played a critical role for Madrid, making several key saves, including a crucial stop against Pablo Duran that prevented Celta from equalizing.

The match showcased Real Madrid's attacking prowess, but their defensive vulnerabilities were evident as they allowed Celta to close the gap significantly in the second half.

The win was vital for Madrid's title aspirations, as it keeps them within reach of Barcelona, who face a challenging midweek Champions League clash, while Madrid has a free week.

Real Madrid hung on to keep their La Liga title hopes alive, beating Celta Vigo 3-2 despite a stirring second-half fightback from the visitors at a tetchy Santiago Bernabeu.

Arda Guler's fine opener and goals from Kylian Mbappe either side of halftime had Carlo Ancelotti's side in cruise control.

Madrid knew they needed a win to head into next weekend's Clasico in Barcelona within four points of their bitter rivals at the top of the table.

Anything less, and Barca would have been able to seal the title with a fourth victory of the campaign over the old enemy . This state of play might explain the collective panic after Celta defender Javi Rodriguez smuggled a goal from a corner with a little over 20 minutes remaining.

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Real Madrid vs. Celta Vigo score

Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Referee: Jesus Gil Manzano

Lineups:

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1. Thibaut Courtois (GK) — 17. Lucas Vazquez, 35. Raul Asencio (31. Jacobo Ramon), 14. Aurelien Tchouameni, 20. Fran Garcia — 8. Federico Valverde, 19. Dani Ceballos (10. Luka Modric) — 15. Arda Guler (21. Brahim Diaz), 5. Jude Bellingham, 7. Vinicius Jr. — 9. Kylian Mbappe

Celta Vigo (3-4-3, right to left): 13. Vincente Guaita (GK) — 29. Yoel Lago, 32. Javi Rodriguez, 20. Marcos Alonso — 5. Sergio Carreira (23. Hugo Alvarez), 4. Hugo Sotelo (10. Iago Aspas), 8. Fran Beltran (6. Ilaix Moriba), 3. Oscar Mingueza — 28. Fer Lopez, 7. Borja Iglesias (18. Pablo Duran), 12. Alfon Gonzalez (19. Williot Swedberg)

MORE: Real Madrid drop hint over El Clasico plan for Kylian Mbappe

Claudio Giraldez's attacking substitutions after his side went 3-0 down shaped much of the contest that followed and two of those replacements combined to make it 3-2. Veteran forward Iago Aspas picked a wonderful pass for Williot Swedberg to slot home.

Thibaut Courtois, who made a pair of excellent first-half saves, almost let an attempt from another substitute, Pablo Duran, squirm through his grasp for 3-3.

Tension is doing unusual things in this La Liga title race, as evidenced by Barcelona struggling past bottom club Valladolid on Saturday. It remains up for grabs, with Madrid four points behind with four games to play.

Even though Barca will have seen little to fear here, Carlo Ancelotti's side have the advantage of a free midweek while the Blaugrana travel to face Inter Milan with their Champions League semifinal all square at 3-3.

Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo stats

Real Madrid vs. Celta Vigo

Fulltime

Mayhem here, Bellingham charging forward, going for glory when he should really be going for the corner flag. He loses possession and Celta break forward, young Jacobo mows into a wild challenge. Celta win the corner, referee Manzano books Jacobo but blows his whistle before Celta can take the corner! Oofff, can you imagine if he'd done that at the other end in the same situation? Anyway, Madrid escape with a breathless win that had looked like being a walk in the park. Celta were brilliant during the final stages as Claudio Giraldez's changes paid dividends. But the title race is alive heading to Catalonia next weekend. It won't be for much longer if Madrid defend like this against Barcelona. Thanks for joining us.

90+3 mins: A bouncing clearance from Courtois goal all the way through to Mbappe. His eyes light up and he cracks a shot over. He should really have hit the target. Ancelotti looks displeased with that one.

90+1 mins: Five minutes of injury time begin with every Madrid player behind the ball.

89 mins: Similar stuff at the other end as Brahim spins into the box but prods too close to Guaita with his left foot. Back come Celta. Alonso slides Swedberg into the box was a cute pass. Courtois reads the cutback well.

88 mins: Iago finds some space on the edge of the Madrid box and goes for goal. Courtois tumbles to his right to make a fairly routine save.

86 mins: Madrid deciding the safest thing to do here is score again. Fran Garcia works an attack over to Bellingham, who lashes a bouncing ball over.

85 mins: Vinicius approaches the Celta box but takes a lame tumble under a challenge from Rodriguez. That's unhelpful as Celta charge forward. Madrid enjoy the lucky break of Iago not picking the right pass on this occasion.

83 mins: Guler makes way with a goal and an assist to his name. It's been a fine afternoon for him but could yet be an ignominious one for Madrid. Brahim is on to make sure that isn't the case.

78 mins: Oh my word it's almost 3-3! Iago pulling the strings again, sends Duran through on goal. The shot squirms through Courtois but he gets back to grasp it on his goalline.

75 mins: GOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!! Williot Swedberg!!!!!!

Oh my, we have a game on now! Iago straight into the thick of things with a lovely pass for fellow substitute Swedberg, who darts through a gap between the Madrid centre-backs that he might have driven a reasonably sized bus through. He finishes assuredly. Madrid suddenly anything but assured.

74 mins: Modric on for Ceballos as Ancelotti attempts the bring a measure of calm and control to a midfield battle that has tilted in Celta's favour over the past 10 minutes or so. And here comes Iago Aspas for defensive midfielder Sotelo.

73 mins: Vinicius twists and turns and fires off a fantastic effort into the side netting. It definitely feels like there are more goals in this one.

69 mins: GOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLL!!!!! Javi Rodriguez!!!!

Well, well, well. Celta get a corner that looks like it came off one of their own players. Madrid don't deal with a skidding low delivery, Vazquez clears off the line but only as far as Rodriguez, who boots it into the roof of the net from close range.

67 mins: Asencio makes way for fellow Real Madrid academy graduate, the beanpole Jacobo Ramon, who gets his La Liga debut.

63 mins: Mbappe clumps the free-kick into the wall and Celta clear.

62 mins: Mbappe has Lago on toast here. Bellingham's through ball is overhit and he still panics and pulls the France superstar down. It's a yellow card and he's only saved from a red by the fact Mbappe probably wasn't going to get to the pass.

58 mins: Bellingham is bypassed in midfield and Alfon has a opportunity, only for Tchouameni to stick to his task superbly with a fine challenge.

57 mins: Guler almost has his second. Celta play themselves into trouble and the Turkey youngster plays a sharp one-two with Mbappe to draw a reaction save from Guaita. And here's a chance for Bellingham from the resulting corner that he heads over.

55 mins: Bellingham opens his stride as Celta back off and fires over from outside the box.

54 mins: The first Celta changes are here and Iago isn't among them. Alvarez and Moriba replace Carreira and Beltran.

52 mins: Iago Aspas is warming up for Celta. Probably a bit late now, lads.

48 mins: GOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLL!!!!!!! Kylian Mbappe!!!!!

That should wrap it up. Guler spears a superb through ball and Mbappe is alive to it, getting away from Lago with a brilliant run and slotting a left-footed finish across Guaita.

Kickoff: 2nd Half

Off we go again. Celta will need to start this half as they did the first and take their chances to have any hope, you feel.

Halftime

Celta had chances, especially during Madrid's lackadaisical start. But Carlo Ancelotti's side made their quality tell as Arda Guler and Kylian Mbappe each scored fabulous goals. It looks like the title race will have plenty of life in Catalonia next weekend.

45 mins: Bellingham, great friend of match officials that he is, gets the first booking of the game for a clumsy, late slide tackle on Lopez. There'll be two added minutes.

44 mins: Celta looking for a way back into the match but Courtois pouches Carreira's cross unfussily. The Madrid No. 1 has had an excellent and influential half.

39 mins: GOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLL!!!!!!! Kylian Mbappe!!!!!

Magnificent from Mbappe. Lago stands off, not wanting to commit and get beaten by the Frenchman and his electric pace. No problem, Mbappe simple thunders a brilliant strike into the top corner.

39 mins: Danger for Madrid as Borja's cross is deflected and Courtois adjusts to make a stunning save. Here they come, breaking down the other end...

33 mins: GOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLL!!!!!!! Arda Guler!!!!!!

Ha, on the other hand...

A corner is worked short cleverly from the right and Guler whips a fabulous strike cross goal and into the far corner. The replay shows it might have taken a nick off Alonso.

32 mins: Vini Jr. engineers a little room but batters his shot a long way over. Madrid have established control of this one but it might require then being a bit more patient than that.

28 mins: Rodriguez is okay to continue.

27 mins: Vazquez getting after a ball over the top, Rodriguez gets there first and receives a whack for his troubles. He'll need a bit of treatment. 

24 mins: Vazquez gets forward down the Celta left to whip in a cross, forcing Guaita into a flying punch. Fellow full-back Garcia collects the loose ball and hacks it way over from distance.

22 mins: Carreira cuts in from the right and Gonzalez moves out into the space he's vacated. No Madrid defenders have gone with the Celta attacker but his cross is wasteful and goes back to Courtois via a deflection off Tchouameni.

15 mins: Things have calmed down a little from that frantic start. Here's Borja, going a fraction too early down the right on this occasion. But he definitely has his eye on this Madrid high line.

8 mins: Madrid get rid of the next corner and break sharply, with Vinicus leading the charge and Lago almost puts through his own goal. Corner for the hosts and Tchouameni powers over a free header.

LADS, ANYONE FANCY DOING ANY MARKING?!?!?!?!

7 mins: Now Borja springs a flimsy Madrid offside trap. The experience forward takes a poor touch and Asencio can scramble behind. And it's Alonso again, fabulous save from Courtois! Madrid really need to wake up here.

5 mins: Ohhhh, chance for Celta. One-time Madrid youngster and Barcelona loanee Alonso darts to the near post and heads just wide from a left-wing corner.

3 mins: Vinicius gets to the byline and leaves a sliding challenge from Rodriguez behind. He stands up a cross to the far post, where Guler attempts a spectacular volley. His acrobatic effort wasn't too far away.

Kickoff

Madrid get us underway and are smoothly into an opening spell of possession against their Europe-chasing opponents. 

2 mins before kickoff: The players are out on the field and will pay a moment's respect to the late Pope Francis before getting underway.

20 mins before kickoff: Jude Bellingham starts today after having a red card for his part in the post-final brouhaha last weekend recinded. You might say Madrid are overdue a big performance from their England star, who is without a goal in his past seven matches.

💯 @BellinghamJude 💯 pic.twitter.com/iltulMjrMz

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) May 4, 2025

40 mins before kickoff: So here's the equation for Real Madrid. Barcelona's win last night means they lead by seven points having played a game more. If Madrid win here, the gap will be four points heading into next weekend's Clasico in Catalonia. So three points against Celta and Los Blancos have the chance to move within one by beating Barca next weekend. If they fail to win today, Barcelona can become champions by beating their old rivals on May 11. So, yeah, it's perhaps an understatement to say Carlo Ancelotti's men need to win,

1 hour before kickoff: Here's the Celta Vigo starting XI. Madrid-born youngster Fer Lopez makes starts for the visitors, having scored his second La Liga goal in last weekend's impressive 3-0 win over Villarreal.

𝑷𝒐𝒍𝒐 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒍 𝑪𝒍𝒖𝒃 𝑪𝒆𝒍𝒕𝒂... 𝒙𝒐𝒈𝒂𝒓𝒂́𝒏... 🩵#RealMadridCelta ⋄ #LALIGAEASPORTS pic.twitter.com/DvuIfz4JpX

— RC Celta (@RCCelta) May 4, 2025

1 hr 30 mins before kickoff: Here's how Madrid line up today. Aurelien Tchouameni and Raul Asencio start at centre-back as effectively the only options available to Carlo Ancelotti in that department. Arda Guler makes his 10th La Liga start of the season as Rodrygo sits this one out with illness. Kylian Mbappe starts as expected, having come off the bench to score in the cup final last weekend.

📋✅ Our starting XI
🆚 @RCCeltaEN! pic.twitter.com/oMpmSOJ0Kr

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) May 4, 2025

2 hours before kickoff. Hello and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of Real Madrid vs. Celta Vigo in La Liga. Do Madrid have any chance of catching Barcelona at the top? Have they all calmed down after the Copa del Rey final? Is everyone suspended?

Real Madrid vs. Celta Vigo

This La Liga match kicks off in Madrid at 2 p.m. local time.

Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories:

Real Madrid vs. Celta Vigo

Ancelotti has big problems in defence, not just for this game but for the duration of the run-in.

Antonio Rudiger, given a six-game ban for throwing an object towards the referee in the Copa final loss to Barcelona, has undergone knee surgery and is out of action anyway. Ferland Mendy has had an operation on a tendon problem, and David Alaba underwent a procedure on his left meniscus.

Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao are also still sidelined, but Lucas Vazquez plays at right-back, his two-game ban for his off-the-field red card being restricted to Copa games.

Eduardo Camavinga has a groin injury and Rodrygo misses out through illness, but Kylian Mbappe is fit to start after coming off the bench in the cup final.

Real Madrid lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Courtois (GK) — Vazquez, Asencio, Tchouameni, Garcia — Valverde, Ceballos — Guler, Bellingham, Vinicius — Mbappe

Real Madrid subs: Lunin (GK), Mestre (GK), Modric, Endrick, Vallejo, Brahim, Youssef, Jacobo

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Carl Starfelt had been close to returning for Celta after missing two league games with a hamstring injury, but he ruptured a tendon in training and will now miss the final games of the season.

Otherwise, Claudio Giraldez has a strong-looking squad at his disposal. Madrid-born youngster Fer Lopez makes starts, having scored his second La Liga goal in last weekend's impressive 3-0 win over Villarreal.

Celta Vigo lineup (3-4-3, right to left): Guaita (GK) — Lago, Javi Rodriguez, Alonso — Carreira, Sotelo, Beltran, Mingueza — Lopez, Iglesias, A. Gonzalez

Celta Vigo subs:Villar (GK), Moriba, Aspas, Cervi, Losada, Jailson, Duran, Swedbergh, Ristic, Alvarez, Dominguez, D. Rodriguez

Real Madrid vs. Celta Vigo

Here's how to watch this La Liga match across selected areas of the world's major regions: