Celta Vigo welcomed Real Madrid to the Estadio de Balaidos in a top-of-the-table clash in La Liga on Saturday.
An unbeaten start to the season had left Celta joint-top of the table entering the match, level on 18 points with leaders Real Madrid and indeed Barcelona, who sat third at kickoff.
Real Madrid took a eighth-minute lead in Vigo courtesy of Cristiano Ronaldo's seventh league goal of the season, before Danilo added a second for Los Blancos in the 23rd minute.
Celta, who could not find a way past the excellent Keylor Navas in the first half, were reduced to 10 men just before the hour when Gustavo Cabral was sent off after picking up a second yellow card.
The hosts continued to press late on and got one back through Nolito, but Marcelo made it 3-1 in the fifth minute of stoppage time as Los Blancos collected all the points.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from Vigo as Celta Vigo welcome Real Madrid to the Estadio de Balaidos. This is a meeting between the top two teams in Spain's top flight, with Celta matching Real Madrid stride-for-stride thus far. Los Blancos currently top the table, but Celta are level on 18 points with Rafael Benitez's side. It has all the makings of an entertaining clash!
Celta might enter this game full of confidence, but they have lost six of their last seven La Liga matches against Real Madrid, recording just one win in the process. That victory came towards the end of the 2013-14 season, but Real Madrid were victorious in both league fixtures last season – first recording a 3-0 win at the Bernabeu, before beating Celta 4-2 in this stadium in April.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news...
TEAMS:
CELTA: To follow...
REAL: Navas; Danilo, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Jese, Ronaldo, Vasquez
So there we have it. Just the one change to the Real Madrid team from the Champions League trip to Paris Saint-Germain and that comes in midfield as Luka Modric replaces Isco. Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez remain on the sidelines, but Sergio Ramos once again starts despite a shoulder problem. Lucas Vazquez and Jese Rodriguez are also in the XI here.
TEAMS:
CELTA: Sergio; Mallo, Cabral, Gomez, Jonny; Augusto, Pablo, Wass; Orellana, Aspas, Nolito
REAL: Navas; Danilo, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Jese, Ronaldo, Vasquez
The Celta team news is in and there are no surprises in the XI. Nolito, who has scored six times in the league this season, starts in a front three alongside in-form pair Iago Aspas and Fabian Orellana. Daniel Wass, who has also made a strong start to his Celta career, lines up in midfield alongside the skipper Augusto Fernandez and Pablo Hernandez. It is the team that was expected for the hosts.
So there we have it. The teams are in and we are now little under 45 minutes from kickoff in this top-of-the-table clash. It is no surprise that Real Madrid lead the way at this point of the season and they are also level on points with third-place Barcelona. It is Celta that have squeezed between the two Spanish giants, however, after making an unbeaten start to the 2015-16 campaign.
Celta will enter this match having not lost in their last seven league games on home soil and they have not managed eight or more in a row since 2003, which is an indication of their excellent form. They have scored 17 goals in their eight league games this season, which is the same number as Barcelona and just one fewer than Real Madrid. Eight goals have been shipped at the other end, but a goal difference of plus nine is very, very impressive for this stage of the campaign.
Eduardo Berizzo's Celta opened their La Liga campaign with a 2-1 win at Levante, before beating Rayo Vallecano 3-0 to move onto six points. They then dropped points in a 3-3 draw with Las Palmas, but returned to winning ways with a 2-1 success at Sevilla. Their most impressive result of the season then occurred as they thumped Barcelona 4-1 on home soil to show their credentials this season.
Back-to-back draws against Eibar and Getafe then followed, but a 2-1 win at Villarreal last time out moved them on to 18 points. There have been some disappointing draws this season, but wins other Sevilla, Barcelona and Villarreal will give them plenty of confidence for this match. If they can beat Real Madrid here then we will have to start talking about Berizzo's side as possible challengers for a top-four position.
It is an important period of the season for Celta, who will travel to out-of-form Real Sociedad next weekend, before hosting Valencia before the international break. If they can remain unbeaten entering the latter stages of November, they then have back-to-back games against Deportivo La Coruna and Sporting Gijon. It is very exciting times for supporters of the club, that is for sure.
Orellana and Aspas have both made strong starts to the season, but it is Nolito that has stolen the headlines. The Spaniard scored 13 times and registered 13 assists in the league last season and he is well on the way to bettering that total this term. In eight games, the Barcelona target has scored six times and registered three assists. Real Madrid will need to be wary of the 29-year-old Spaniard in Vigo.
As for Real Madrid, it has been an impressive start to Rafael Benitez's reign in the capital. Los Blancos have not yet been beaten under the Spaniard's leadership and the last Real manager to have lasted so long without a league defeat was Jose Mourinho, who stayed unbeaten in his first 13 La Liga games. Should the visitors keep a clean sheet in this game, meanwhile, they will equal their lowest number of goals conceded in the opening nine games of a La Liga season.
The Spanish giants opened their league season with an underwhelming 0-0 draw at newly-promoted Sporting Gijon, but they then recorded back-to-back wins over Real Betis and Espanyol to move onto six points for the season. Victories over Granada and Athletic Bilbao continued their strong start, but then drew back-to-back games against Malaga and Atletico Madrid.
Los Blancos returned to winning ways in the league last time out, however, as they put three unanswered goals past Levante. That particular match was a special occasion for a certain Ronaldo, who surpassed Raul as Real Madrid's all-time leading scorer on 324 goals. The 30-year-old has not quite been at this best this season, however, and will be keen to put down a marker this afternoon.
Real Madrid have also made a strong start to their Champions League campaign, picking up seven points from three games to top Group A. They started with a 4-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk, before recording a 2-0 win at Malmo. The Spanish side will enter this match off the back of a goalless draw with Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, which was a good result due to their injury problems.
It always seems to be an important period of the season for Real Madrid, but the next month is massive. After this game, they host Las Palmas, before welcoming PSG in their fourth Champions League group game. A trip to Sevilla will follow and they then host Barcelona in the first Clasico of the season after the international break. A certain Lionel Messi could be back for the Catalan side in that one.
PREDICTION! This is a really tough game for injury-hit Real Madrid. Under normal circumstances, I would be backing Los Blancos to claim all the points, but I am not sure this XI on display can go and win against this Celta team, who are in such good form. There has been a lot of talk about this match and I am hoping for an entertaining clash. I am plumping for a draw. My score prediction is 1-1.
Here we go then. Little over five minutes until kickoff at the Estadio de Balaidos and it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium. Real Madrid have a very strong recent record against Celta, but Berizzo's side have been excellent this term. It could be a real cracker here!
KICKOFF! A win for Celta here will take them to the top of the table, but a draw or indeed Real Madrid victory would leave the visitors atop the division. Barcelona will be watching closely as they prepare to face Eibar tomorrow afternoon. Right, it is the hosts that get the first period underway...
... not the warmest afternoon in Vigo, but there is a wonderful atmosphere and spirits are high. you just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital here. As expected, Los Blancos have taken control of the possession in the early moments, but Celta are pressing high.
The first corner of the match comes to Real Madrid as Vasquez's cross is deflected behind. The resulting set piece is delivered by Kroos, but Gomez makes first contact and Wass blasts clear.
No doubt that Real Madrid have made the more productive start to this match, with Casemiro dominating the middle of the park and Jese causing problems with his pace in wide areas. Modric's return has clearly lifted the visitors, but a long-range strike from Danilo flies wide.
Celta have not really been allowed to get into this match in the opening seven minutes as Real Madrid continue to dominate the ball. Vasquez combines with Ronaldo just outside the box, but Mallo is on hand to hack clear, before a Jese flick is cleared by Cabral. One-way traffic here.
GOAL! Celta 0-1 Real Madrid (Ronaldo)
Stunning goal for Real Madrid and they led in Vigo. It is wonderful work from Vasquez who plays a low cross into Ronaldo and the 30-year-old manages to squeeze his effort past Alvarez. I am not sure about some of the defending there, but the visitors deserve their lead after such a strong start.
Half-chance for Celta down the other end as Nolito finds space in a wide area, but his effort was always rising over the crossbar. The hosts really need to wake up after struggling in the early moments.
Well, Real Madrid might be without a number of key players, but they have started this game so well. Modric, Kroos and Casemiro are controlling the midfield, while Ronaldo looks in the mood.
CHANCE! First real chance of the match for Celta as a deep corner lands onto the head of Aspas, but his effort was always rising over the crossbar. Should have done better in plenty of space there!
A loose touch from Varane almost allows Aspas the chance to break through on goal, but Real Madrid manage to deal with the threat. It has been a decent response from Celta since falling behind, but Real Madrid continue to look the more dangerous in possession. A super game is developing!
CHANCE! Again Celta come close as a deep cross into the Real Madrid box causes problems, but Orellana ultimately heads into the arms of Navas. The hosts are starting to threaten Los Blancos here.
SAVE! Stunning goalkeeping from Navas as the Real Madrid stopper somehow pushes a powerful strike from Orellana around the post. That is just excellent work from the Costa Rican international!
Celta have well and truly woken up after a poor start and it is Orellana that is threatening to level the scores. Only a truly excellent stop from Navas sees Real Madrid still lead in Vigo here.
It must be said that the opening 22 minutes of this contest have just flown past. Real Madrid completely dominated the opening 10 minutes or so and managed to take the lead, but Celta are seriously threatening an equaliser, with Nolito, Orellana and Aspas all proving dangerous in attack.
GOAL! Celta 0-2 Real Madrid (Danilo)
Real Madrid have their second of the match as Danilo perfectly places one into the far corner after an excellent pass from Jese. Super finish from the right-back, who looks to the sky! Wow!
Celta come straight back as Fernandez strikes one from outside the box, but Navas gets down to make the save. End-to-end football in Vigo, but it is Real Madrid that have the 2-0 lead here.
Celta have been very impressive going forward this season, but questions have been asked of their defence and they have not provided answers in this game. Both Danilo and Ronaldo had far too much space down that right. Assists for Vasquez and Jese will have made Benitez a proud man here!
Real Madrid are more than happy for Celta to have possession of the ball here and the visitors are proving devastating on the counter attack. Ronaldo again cuts inside his full-back before feeding Marcelo, but Orellana is back performing his defence work. It has been some 31 minutes of action.
Celta have a free kick in a dangerous position as Vasquez collides with Hernandez...
... SAVE! Wass drives the resulting set piece towards the bottom corner, but Navas is across to make another excellent stop. This Costa Rican has been simply outstanding for Los Blancos this season.
Will Benzema and Bale be able to get back into this team?! Jese and Vasquez have both been excellent in the opening 35 minutes of this match. Counter-attacking masterclass from the visitors.
Jese looks to have turned an ankle for Real Madrid - that is one to keep an eye on. That would be a big blow for the Spaniard as he attempts to take his chance in the first XI. Celta remain neat and tidy in possession as they continue to look for openings, but Los Blancos are so very dangerous.
BOOKING! Cabral (Celta) is booked for a hefty challenge on Marcelo.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, but both teams are still committing plenty of numbers in the final third. Celta have actually had more clear-cut opportunities in this first period, but it is the visitors that lead 2-0 at the Estadio de Balaidos.
SAVE! More excellent goalkeeping from Navas as the Real Madrid stopper keeps out a powerful strike from Aspas. Brilliant reactions from Costa Rican once again! He will not be beaten!
Celta will be scratching their heads if they do not manage to get one goal back before the end of the first period. Navas is on a one-man mission to keep this excellent clean sheet record!
SAVE! Okay, this is getting silly now. Again it is excellent goalkeeping from Navas as the stopper somehow denies a goal-bound header from Hernandez. What on earth is happening here!
HALF-TIME: Celta 0-2 Real Madrid
And breathe! What a half of football! Well, Real Madrid lead 2-0 at the interval courtesy of goals from Ronaldo and Danilo, but this first period has been all about Keylor Navas, who has made a series of truly wonderful saves for the visitors. Celta will not believe that they have not scored here!
STATISTICS! Celta have just shaded the possession with 52%, while they have had 11 attempts, six of which were on target. Real Madrid, on the other hand, have had two attempts on target and scored with them both. Just the one yellow to report, with Cabral's name taken for a challenge on Marcelo.
BENCH WATCH! Celta boss Berizzo has a number of attacking players on his bench this afternoon, with the likes of Bongoxda, Guidetti and Madinda all capable of making a difference in the final third. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Isco, Cheryshev, Kovacic and Mayoral.
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Celta find a route past Navas here? He has been just stunning. The hosts resume the action in Vigo...
... no changes from either side at the interval, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind if the score remains 0-2 for the next 15, 20 minutes in Vigo. The next goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital. It is still delicately poised!
Half-chance for Celta as Wass finds space outside the box before curling one towards the top corner, but his effort just moved wide of the post. Down the other end, Vasquez passed up the chance to make it 3-0 after chipping straight into the arms of Alvarez under little pressure!
The end-to-end period of the match continues as Ronaldo drives towards the Celta box before striking one towards goal, but his effort is deflected wide for a corner, which is headed clear.
I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals in this match as both teams continue to commit numbers in the final third. Celta again break with Nolito, but Danilo is across to make a fine challenge, before Vasquez carries clear. This really has been an excellent game of football in Vigo.
BOOKING! Vasquez (Real Madrid) is booked for a late challenge on Jonny.
Ronaldo heads a Marcelo cross over the crossbar as Real Madrid threaten down the left.
Marcelo, who has been excellent in Vigo, continues to threaten down the left as he combines with Ronaldo before delivering, but Cabral is across to make a fine challenge. The resulting corner is played short and eventually ends with a Celta free kick as Marcelo brings Orellana to the ground.
RED CARD! CABRAL!
Celta are reduced to 10 men as Cabral picks up his second yellow card for a tug on Ramos. The home side are not happy and there might be a couple more cards to follow here. All happening!
BOOKINGS! Hernandez, Aspas (Celta) are both booked for dissent.
Aspas needs to be careful here as the Spaniard gets himself involved with an altercation with Ramos after picking up that yellow card. The referee needs to regain control of this contest.
BOOKING! Nolito (Celta) is booked after clashing with Vasquez.
REAL MADRID SUB! Isco replaces Vasquez.
The first half was excellent for all of the right reasons, but the second thus far has been spoiled by a number of unsavoury incidents. The referee has dished out a host of yellow cards and also sent Cabral from the field. We have little over 25 minutes remaining and the visitors still lead 2-0 here.
CHANCES! Opportunity for Ronaldo to score his second of the match as the 30-year-old breaks free inside the Celta box, but his effort is denied, before Varane has a header tipped over by Alvarez.
CORRECTION! It was Hernandez that tugged Ramos to the ground in the red card incident and Cabral picked up a second yellow for dissent, which is controversial! It all seemed to kick off!
CELTA SUB! Wass is replaced by Radoja for the hosts.
Little over 20 minutes of football remaining and Real Madrid still lead 2-0 courtesy of goals from Ronaldo and Danilo, but the second half has been marred by a number of incidents, including that red for Cabral and three yellows for the hosts. Cheryshev is preparing to enter the frame for the visitors.
CROSSBAR! Isco's wonderful effort smashes off the crossbar!
REAL MADRID SUB! Cheryshev replaces Jese.
Another half-chance for Real Madrid as Isco finds space in a wide area, but his effort was always rising past the far post. End-to-end football as we head for the final 15 minutes of action here.
OFF-THE-LINE! Celta look certain to score as Nolito works space inside the box before beating Navas, but Marcelo is on the cover to hack clear. This Real Madrid goal will not be breached here!
Cheryshev drives away on the counter for Real Madrid, but Mallo is across at the vital moment to clear as the score remains 2-0. Celta are not sitting down and taking this as they race straight down the other end, but the counter-attacking threat from Los Blancos is there for all to see here.
Navas, again, gets down to save at the feet of Aspas. Navas has just been sensational.
Navas is back on his feet following that clash with Aspas and play continues. This has been one of the most exhausting games of football that I have ever, ever seen. And I have seen a lot.
REAL MADRID SUB! Nacho replaces Modric in Real's final change.
CELTA SUB! Guidetti replaces Hernandez for the hosts.
Little over five minutes of the second period remaining and Real Madrid still, still lead 2-0. It seems a long time ago that the visitors scored their second and so much has happened since then.
CELTA SUB! Planas replaces Orellana.
Without sounding like a broken record, I am exhausted. This match has taken so much out of me and I am not even playing. It has been easily the best La Liga game of the season!
GOAL! Celta 1-2 Real Madrid (Nolito)
Sensational! Sensational strike from Nolito as the Spaniard finds the top corner, finally beating Navas. Can they? Can the hosts find an unlikely equaliser? It would be some end to this game.
CHANCE! And there is the chance! Wonderful opportunity for the hosts to level as Guidetti finds space inside the Real box, but his low strike is wide of the post. This is just unbelievable!
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional five minutes of football.
Cheryshev breaks through on the Celta goal after a smart pass from Ronaldo, but Alvarez is on hand to make a super save, before the goalkeeper comes out to challenge at the feet of Ronaldo.
Nolito stands over a free kick as Celta have the chance to threaten once again, but Navas is on hand to punch behind as Real Madrid keep their lead in tact. The tension is almost unbearable here.
Celta keep on coming, but Real Madrid are doing just about enough at the moment and there is not long left for the hosts to find a second goal. Ronaldo has the chance to add a third on the counter, but his effort is straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. Someone hand me a paper bag. I'm done!
GOAL! Celta 1-3 Real Madrid (Marcelo)
Real Madrid make sure of the points as Marcelo finds the back of the net from close range.
FULL-TIME: Celta Vigo 1-3 Real Madrid
What a game. What a game of football. Real Madrid emerge 3-1 winners at Celta to move clear at the top of the table, but that does not even begin to tell the story. Look out for my analysis, which will soon follow on the website. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
