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Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé scored twice as the club edged out Celta Vigo 3-2 in a thrilling encounter to remain within striking distance of La Liga leaders Barcelona.
Following Barcelona’s comeback win at Valladolid on Saturday, Madrid held off a spirited late push from Celta to maintain the four-point gap heading into next Sunday’s El Clásico.
The reigning champions, currently second, were left hanging on at the Santiago Bernabéu against seventh-placed Celta, pushing for a European place.
Despite crashing out of the Champions League and losing the Copa del Rey final to Barcelona last week, Carlo Ancelotti’s side are still determined to overhaul Hansi Flick’s team in the title race.
Madrid were hampered by a string of defensive injuries but eventually took control after withstanding early pressure. Twenty-year-old Turkish midfielder Arda Güler impressed in his start, deputising for the ill Rodrygo.
Güler nearly opened the scoring with an audacious overhead kick before Marcos Alonso threatened at the other end, heading over and forcing a smart stop from Thibaut Courtois.
Madrid took the lead in the 33rd minute when Güler carved out space in the area and curled a sublime strike past Vicente Guaita.
Six minutes later, Mbappé doubled Madrid’s advantage, finishing off a rapid counter-attack started by Courtois and orchestrated by Jude Bellingham.
Just after the break, the French forward bagged his second — and 24th of the league season — calmly slotting home after a precise through ball from Güler.
With the score at 3-0, Madrid looked home and dry, but Celta pulled one back through Javier Rodríguez after a corner controversially awarded in their favour. Lucas Vázquez cleared a backheel effort off the line, only for Rodríguez to tap in.
Substitute Iago Aspas made an immediate impact for the visitors, setting up Williot Swedberg to net a second, making it 3-2.
Moments later, Courtois spilt a shot from Pablo Duran, nearly conceding an equaliser, but the ball slowed on the turf before crossing the line.
Had Madrid dropped points, Barcelona could have secured the title with a win in next weekend’s showdown. Instead, the title race remains very much alive.
