Copa del Rey: Real Madrid 5-2 Celta Vigo – Extra-Time Thriller
Copa del Rey: Real Madrid Overcomes Scare to Triumph Over Celta Vigo in Extra Time
Real Madrid secured their spot in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals after an exhilarating 5-2 victory against Celta Vigo at home, powered by an outstanding performance from Kylian Mbappé.
A Chance for Redemption After Supercup Defeat
Following their stinging 5-2 loss to FC Barcelona in the Spanish Supercup final, Real Madrid returned to the field with a point to prove. Hosting Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey Round of 16 at the Santiago Bernabéu, Carlo Ancelotti opted for a slightly rotated lineup, featuring players like Lunin, Fran García, and Brahim Díaz alongside the star duo Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Jr.
The atmosphere at the Bernabéu was tense, with some fans venting frustration towards coach Ancelotti and midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni during pre-match announcements. Adding to the pressure, Real Madrid carried a nine-match winning streak against Celta Vigo—a record they couldn’t afford to jeopardize.
A Shaky Start for the Merengues
Despite their strong lineup, Real Madrid struggled to find rhythm early in the match. By the fifth minute, Celta’s Carl Starfelt rattled the post with a header, signaling the visitors’ attacking intent, even in the absence of star striker Iago Aspas. Real Madrid gradually gained control, with Tchouaméni testing Celta’s goalkeeper with a long-range shot in the 15th minute.
However, the Merengues’ offensive plays lacked sharpness. Both Mbappé and Vinícius Jr. were relatively quiet in the opening stages, though Brahim Díaz came close to scoring around the half-hour mark. Finally, in the 37th minute, Mbappé delivered.
Mbappé Takes Charge
The Frenchman showcased his brilliance with a lightning-fast counterattack. Sprinting down the left wing, he unleashed a powerful shot from a tight angle, slotting the ball just under the crossbar to give Real Madrid the lead (1-0). The goal boosted both Mbappé and the team’s morale, though Celta continued to threaten, calling for a penalty on a controversial earlier play.
Vinícius Jr., who had been subdued, started to come alive, and Real Madrid headed into halftime with a slim but reassuring lead.
Second-Half Drama: A Game of Twists
Real Madrid doubled their advantage early in the second half. Mbappé delivered a perfectly weighted pass to Brahim Díaz, who then set up Vinícius Jr. for a clinical finish (2-0, 47’). Mbappé nearly added to his tally, narrowly missing a header in the 57th minute. Meanwhile, Celta kept pushing, with Moriba forcing a shaky save from Lunin in the 73rd minute.
Tensions peaked when Arda Güler thought he had scored, only for his goal to be ruled offside. Mbappé exited to a standing ovation in the 79th minute, but the drama was far from over.
Celta’s Stunning Comeback
Celta capitalized on defensive errors late in the game. Eduardo Camavinga’s misstep allowed Pablo Duran to set up Jonathan Bamba for a precise finish (2-1, 83’). Moments later, a penalty conceded by Asensio gave Marcos Alonso the chance to equalize, which he converted with ease (2-2, 90’+1).
What had seemed like a comfortable victory turned into a nightmare scenario, forcing the match into extra time.
Extra Time: Real Madrid Seals the Win
The additional 30 minutes began evenly, with few clear chances. Antonio Rüdiger came close, hitting the post just before the break in extra time. The second half, however, belonged to Real Madrid’s young talents. Endrick, the Brazilian wonderkid, broke the deadlock with a stunning strike from just outside the box (3-2, 108’).
Minutes later, Federico Valverde added another with a jaw-dropping shot into the top corner (4-2, 112’). Endrick completed his brace in style, finishing with a cheeky backheel goal in the dying minutes (5-2, 119’).
Quarterfinal Bound
Despite a late scare, Real Madrid showed their resilience, advancing to the quarterfinals with a memorable performance. The team will discover their next opponent during Monday’s draw.
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