Real Madrid cruise past Celta and keep their lead atop LaLiga

Real Madrid proved why they’re LaLiga’s team to beat this season as a goal from their star winger, Vinicius Jr., Arda Guler and own goals by the Celta Vigo goalkeeper and centerback earned them an easy 4-0 win to put them seven points clear of Girona at the top of the table.

It’s easy to see why Carlo Ancelotti’s side have just one loss to their name in 2023/24 as their defensive proves impregnable and their offense proves more than potent, with the win earning them their 60th goal of the campaign.

It came in the 21st minute when Antonio Rudiger’s powerful header was saved, but Vinicius Jr. proved to be the fastest fox in the box as he was waiting on hand to tap home at the second time of asking to give the white shirts the lead on home turf.

And it was coming for a long time. Before and after the goal, Celta Vigo were never in the contest and were fortunate to get into half-time just the one goal down as Real Madrid consistently spurned good chances to double their money.

Manu FernandezAP

But in the second half they clearly had no intention of letting up and pushed on to ensure they dominated exchanges by taking nine of their 11 shots within the penalty box. Eventually, that kind of pressure would result in a goal, and it came with 10 minutes to go when the Celta Vigo goalkeeper, Vincente Guaita, unfortunately turned into his own net.

The corner came in and Rudiger got a thunderous header onto the ball, which the Celta Vigo goalkeeper may have initially saved. But it rattled the crossbar and bounced back down and in an unfortunate fashion, striking Guaita to cross the line and finish the game off.

Chema MoyaEFE

From there, Real Madrid had no chance of sparing any mercy. In the 88th minute they made it three when a dangerous cross narrowly missed the head of a Los Blancos attacker only for Guaita and Carlos Dominguez to get mixed up. The result was that the ball hit the defender and agonisingly crossed the line slowly.

And there was still time for four as in the 94th minute, Arda Guler was played in with a smart through ball, rounded the goalkeeper and easily tapped home to complete the demolition in Madrid.

Manu FernandezAP

With 21 wins, six draws and one defeat, Real Madrid lead Girona at the top of the table by seven points with 10 games to go. They also lead their archrivals, Barcelona, by eight points and Atletico Madrid by 14 points.

At the foot of the table, Celta Vigo remain in 17th, two points above Cadiz in the final relegation zone with Granada and Almeria trailing by significant margins in the final stretch of the season.