Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Real Madrid held on to beat Celta Vigo despite a late comeback from the visitors at the Santiago Bernabeu.
It looked like being a routine afternoon for Carlo Ancelotti’s side when Mbappe’s second of the game put them 3-0 up three minutes into the second half.
But Celta, who also pushed Barcelona all the way before losing 4-3 in their last away game, scored twice in the final quarter to provide some nervy moments for the home crowd.
Madrid finally got the job done, however, and moved back to within four points of Barca at the top of the table.
🏁 @RealMadridEn 3-2 @RCCeltaEN
⚽ 33′ @10ArdaGuler
⚽ 39′ @KMbappe
⚽ 48′ @KMbappe
⚽ 69′ Javi Rodríguez
⚽ 76′ Williot
👉 @Emirates pic.twitter.com/F1QWnkcYnh— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) May 4, 2025
Madrid slow out of the blocks
Celta, who started the day in seventh place, started well and could have taken the lead in an entertaining first half after six minutes – Marcos Alonso flashing a header over the bar after latching on to Hugo Sotelo’s corner.
Celta threatened again a minute later and only a brilliant save from Thibault Courtois prevented Yoel Lago from nodding his side in front.
Madrid finally woke up and, after Vincius Jr shot over the bar, they took the lead through Arda Guler.
The Turkey international, recalled to the starting XI this afternoon, played a quick corner to Lucas Vazquez and, after getting the ball back, lashed in an effort which took a nick off a defender and flew past Celta goalkeeper Vicente Guaita.
Courtois saved well from Borja Iglesias before Madrid struck again.
Mbappe takes centre stage
Jude Bellingham released Mbappe down the left and the France captain cut in before firing past Guaita and into the net.
Mbappe has had his critics after an up-and-down first season at Madrid but he grabbed his 36th goal in all competitions to make 3-0 in the early stages of the second half.
Guler was the architect with a slide-rule pass through the Celta defence and Mbappe did the rest with a clinical finish.
Madrid were rampant and Bellingham twice came close to a fourth while Guaita also had to get down well to smother a low shot from the impressive Guler.
Celta strike back
There seemed little chance of a Celta comeback but that changed when Javi Rodriguez fired high into the net after Madrid failed to clear a corner.
Iago Aspas was introduced by Celta boss Cristian Giraldez and the 37-year-old forward made an instant impact with a wonderful through ball for fellow substitute Williot Swedberg to fire past Courtois and make it 3-2 with 14 minutes remaining.
Aspas was showing he had lost none of his creative brilliance and another pass three minutes later picked out Pablo Duran. His shot was partially saved by Courtois before the Belgium international was able to turn and grasp the ball before it trickled over the line.
The Bernabeu faithful were not impressed and jeers rained down from the stands as Madrid tried to see the game out.
In truth, Celta rarely threatened an equaliser as the minutes ticked past and Ancelotti’s men saw the game out to just about maintain their title challenge.
