Real Madrid welcomed Celta Vigo to the Bernabeu on Monday knowing that victory would close the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid to five points.
Celta had the better of the chances in the first period, but neither could make the breakthrough with the two sides level at the interval.
The away side continued to impress in the second half, but goals from Karim Benzema and a Cristiano Ronaldo brace handed Madrid all three points.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our penultimate live La Liga commentary of week 17 comes from the Spanish capital as Real Madrid welcome Celta Vigo. The home side have been in fine form in recent weeks and that must continue this evening if they are to keep pace with Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, who now sit eight points ahead, albeit having played one game more.
TEAMS:
REAL: Lopez; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Alonso, Modric; Ronaldo, Isco, Di Maria; Benzema
CELTA: Yoel; Cabral, Mallo, Castro, Costas; Oubina, Fernandez, Lopez; Orellana, Rafinha, Charles
So there we have it. No Gareth Bale in the Madrid XI this evening, but Cristiano Ronaldo does start. The right-back spot goes to Daniel Carvajal, while Luka Modric and Xabi Alonso start in midfield. Celta, meanwhile, recall Fabian Orellana and Charles, but Michael Krohn-Dehli and Santi Mina are both on the bench.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Madrid have won four of the last five matches, with Celta’s success coming in a 2-1 Copa del Rey win in December 2012. As mentioned, the corresponding match last season ended in a 4-0 home win, while Madrid were also 2-1 winners when they made the trip to Vigo in March 2013.
As it stands, Madrid have won 13 of their 17 league games this season, drawing twice and losing twice – against Atletico Madrid and Barcelona. Their home form has been strong with seven wins from their eight matches, scoring 27 times in the process and conceding eight. However, their shaky defence continues to hand teams opportunities.
Goals have not been too much of a problem for Madrid, however, with 49 in their 17 matches. It will come as no surprise that Cristiano Ronaldo is their top scorer in the league with 18. That is in contrast to Celta, who have managed just 21 goals in the same number of games. Although that is more than a number of their relegation rivals.
Down the other end, Madrid have conceded 21 times, which is significantly more than Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, and is also a total bettered by the likes of Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao. It is not too difficult to see where their problems have come this season. Celta, meanwhile, have shipped 27 goals, keeping just three clean sheets in the process.
It was always going to be a difficult season for Celta after losing a number of key players in the summer, but they have been better than their results would suggest. As it stands, they currently sit in 17th spot in the table having won just four of their 17 games, collecting 16 points in the process. That total, as mentioned, has left them only out of the relegation zone on goal difference.
Their away form, compared to the teams around them, has been quite solid with three wins from their eight matches. However, they have really struggled on their own patch, winning just one of nine and losing four times in the process. They are very similar to Aston Villa in the Premier League. They have difficulty breaking teams down at home, but have plenty of pace on the road.
PREDICTION: As mentioned, Celta have been better on the road than on their own patch this season, but Real Madrid have been in fine form at the Bernabeu. Aside from Bale, Madrid are arguably at full strength and I expect them to have far too much for the away side this evening. My score prediction is a 4-1 home win.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. You just get the feeling that Celta need to stay in the match in the early exchanges. Right, the home side get the action underway in the Bernabeu.
Wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this evening, with the home supporters expecting their side to put on a positive display. As expected, the home side have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes. Ronaldo attempts to break down the left, but Hugo Mallo is across to clear with a fine challenge.
Ronaldo wants a free kick on the edge of the box as he tumbles under a challenge from David Costas, but the referee is not interested. Rafinha embarks on a mazy run down the other end, but just runs out of steam at the final moment. Not too much to report in terms of attacking football thus far with both sides attempting to find their passing game.
A powerful run from Di Maria leads to Benzema collecting possession inside the Celta box, but the Frenchman had moved into an offside position. Ronaldo tries his luck outside the box moments later, but it deflects off Cabral and behind for a corner. Goalless after six minutes on the clock.
CHANCE! Incredible opportunity for the away side as Charles beats the offside trap before advancing into the Madrid box, but the Brazilian can only curl his effort wide of the post. Stunning chance for the away side to open the scoring. Replays have shown that Diego Lopez got the slightest of touches.
Celta continue to impress on the counter as they commit numbers in the final third. Eventually it falls to Charles, but his effort is blocked by Pepe. Madrid are on the counter moments later with Ronaldo, but his cross towards Benzema is cleared for a corner, which Rafinha clears with a towering header. Plenty happening inside 10 minutes at the Bernabeu.
Half-chance for Madrid as Carvajal finds some space inside the Celta box, but he can only cross into the arms of Yoel. Carvajal has another crossing opportunity following a wonderful pass from Ramos moments later, but Ronaldo is penalised for handball inside the Celta box. Good tempo to the early exchanges.
One-way traffic in the last couple of moments as the home side continue to force the issue outside the Celta box. Modric and Isco are seeing plenty of the ball, but they have been unable to find that elusive pass thus far. Marcelo and Carvajal, meanwhile, continue to play as wingers, with Ramos and Pepe left to defend the Celta counter.
Half-chance for Madrid as Benzema collects a through pass from Isco before turning and firing towards goal, but Mallo is on hand to clear the danger. Pepe has an opportunity from the resulting corner, but his header is wide of the post from close range. The pressure is building with 16 minutes on the clock.
Half-chance for the away side this time as Celta gain a free kick in a wide position just outside the Madrid box. Rafinha steps up to take, but his effort moves wide of Lopez's right-hand post. The home side attempt to break down the other end with Ronaldo, but Mallo makes the foul. Luis Enrique can be pleased with his side's performance thus far.
Stop-start period of the match in the last couple of moments with the referee forced to intervene following a couple of late challenges. Isco takes a trailing arm in the face from Alex Lopez, but the Spanish official takes no action. The home side have not been allowed to click into first gear thus far as Carvajal delivers another low cross into the arms of Celta stopper Yoel.
Ronaldo wants a penalty as the Portuguese goes down inside the box, but the referee is not interested. Alonso then goes down on the edge of the area, but once more the referee sees no reason to take action. Safe to say that he is not winning too many friends in the stadium. No real opportunities for either side since Charles brought a fine save from Lopez inside seven minutes.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side as Carvajal's low cross finds Benzema inside the box, but his effort is deflected wide of the post by Costas. Ramos meets the resulting corner, but the whistle is blown for a foul inside the area.
The corner count continues to rise as Madrid force the issue in wide areas. A dangerous cross from Marcelo is swung towards Isco, but Yoel is on hand to claim once more. Not too much from Celta as an attacking threat, but they are defending impressively. Still goalless after 27 minutes of La Liga football.
Half-chance for the home side as Isco finds Ronaldo inside the Celta box, but his effort is deflected into the arms of Yoel. Modric has an effort from outside the area moments later, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
Another half-chance for Celta as Orellana meets a cross from Rafinha, but his header is just wide of the post. The away side force a corner moments later as Pepe is forced to slice behind following good work from Mallo, but Ramos is on hand to clear with a towering header.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Celta as Mallo meets a corner from the right, but he can only plant his effort over the crossbar. Another corner is delivered into a dangerous area, but Pepe manages to clear. Good spell for Celta as the first period enters its latter stages.
Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the last couple of moments with Madrid struggling to force the issue in the final third. Meanwhile, a series of fouls has further interrupted the tempo. With and indeed without the ball, Celta have been extremely impressive in this first period.
CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for Celta as Rafinha's effort is deflected towards the Madrid goal, but it just drops wide of the post. Lopez could only stand and watch. The resulting corner is attacked by Cabral, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar.
Opportunity for Madrid to threaten from a free kick as Orellana fells Di Maria on the counter. The resulting set piece is met by Ramos, but his header is straight into the arms of Yoel. Can Celta make it to the interval at 0-0? The home supporters are starting to get nervous that is for certain.
Alex Lopez tries his luck from outside the box as he meets a loose cross from Orellana, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Di Maria is on the counter down the other end moments later, but Mallo is across to clear. Still goalless after 43 minutes of this La Liga contest.
It would not be a surprise if a certain Gareth Bale was introduced at the interval. Carlo Ancelotti cannot be pleased with what he has seen from his side thus far. They continue to force the issue with crosses into the Celta box, but the danger is cleared on each occasion.
HALF TIME: Real Madrid 0-0 Celta Vigo
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. Madrid have had more of the ball, but the better chances have fallen the way of Celta. It hasn't quite gone to plan for Carlo Ancelotti and his side thus far. However, there is still another 45 minutes to play at the Bernabeu.
STATISTICS: The home side have had more of the possession with 67%, while both sides have had seven attempts. That said, the better chances have fallen to Celta, with Charles guilty of passing up a wonderful opportunity in the early stages. Madrid, meanwhile, have been restricted to efforts from distance. Celta's gameplan is working perfectly at the moment.
BENCH WATCH: Real have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of Jese Rodriguez, Alvaro Morata and Gareth Bale. Meanwhile, Celta have the likes of Nolito, Madinda, Krohn-Dehli and Santi Mina in reserve. However, it would be a surprise if Luis Enrique made changes at this stage of proceedings.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. As it stands, Madrid would sit seven points behind Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, therefore victory is imperative. Change for the home side at the interval with Illarramendi replacing Alonso. Right, the away side get the second 45 minutes underway in the Spanish capital.
It is understood that Alonso picked up a slight injury in the first period, although the extent of the damage is not clear at this moment. Bright start to the second half from the home side as Carvajal attacks down the right, but the move breaks down with Benzema on the edge of the box.
The aerial bombardment continues as Madrid deliver cross after cross into the Celta box, but the away side continue to deal with the danger. You can just sense the nervousness inside the stadium, but there is still a lot of football to be played at the Bernabeu. Ronaldo strikes one from the edge of the box moments later, but it is high and wide of the crossbar.
Celta just cannot keep hold of the ball at the moment as Madrid camp outside their own box. However, the likes of Benzema and Di Maria have failed to influence proceedings thus far. I suspect that we could see a certain Bale for the final 30 minutes or so. Benzema breaks into the Celta box moments later, but is ruled offside.
Half-chance for the home side as Di Maria and Carvajal combines down the right, but the final pass towards the right-back is just too heavy and Yoel is on hand to collect. Celta break down the other end moments later, but Rafinha's deep cross does not find a teammate. Little over 35 minutes of football remaining.
Half-chance for Isco as the Madrid attacker turns on the edge of the box before attempting to find the bottom corner, but Yoel is on hand to collect. You just get the feeling that Celta need to score if they are to take something from the match. Surely Madrid will take a chance in the final 30 minutes or so.
Still no movement on either bench, which is a surprise at this stage of proceedings. There is no real fluency to the Madrid attack this evening with Ronaldo growing frustrated in the final third. Mallo tries his luck for Celta moments later, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining at the Bernabeu.
Half-chance for Celta as Orellana collects a loose ball inside the Madrid box, but his effort is just deflected wide of the post. The away side make their first change of the match moments later as Krohn-Dehli replaces Lopez. Attacking change from Luis Enrique. Celta can sense something here as they continue to create attacking opportunities.
The home side make their first change of the match, but it is not Bale. Jese Rodriguez emerges from the dugout to replace Isco, who has been disappointing this evening. Even at this stage, you still get the feeling that Madrid have a goal in them. Jese's first touch almost brings a goal, but he curls one into the arms of Lopez.
The frustration continues to grow as another Madrid attack breaks down in the final third. The home supporters do not have to wait long to see Bale, however, as the Welshman emerges from the dugout. The attacker enters the field in place of Di Maria, who has also struggled this evening. Little under 25 minutes for the home side to find a goal here.
CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for the away side as Charles collects a through pass from Rafinha, but the Brazilian can only curl his effort wide of the post. That is two golden opportunities that he has missed this evening.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Celta Vigo (Benzema)
Finally the home side make the breakthrough as Jese shows wonderful composure inside the box to find Benzema, who clips into the top corner from close range. Relief around the stadium. Celta have been made to pay for missed opportunities.
Celta make their second change as Fernandez is replaced by Nolito. Another positive moment from Luis Enrique. You just get the feeling that the away side will get one more big chance in the final stages of this match. Charles has been guilty of passing up their two best opportunities thus far. Little under 20 minutes for Celta to gain something from this contest.
Wonderful opportunity for the away side to level as Pepe fells Krohn-Dehli right on the edge of the Madrid box. The resulting set piece is taken by Nolito, but he curls his effort high and wide of the crossbar. As it stands, Celta have had more attempts than the home side this evening.
Another half-chance for the home side as Bale creates some space on the right before delivering a wonderful cross towards Benzema, but Yoel is on hand to make a fine save at the vital moment. You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match. Both continue to attack with 75 minutes on the clock.
CHANCE! Ronaldo comes close to scoring the home side's second as Benzema finds the Portuguese inside the box, but he flashes his effort just wide of the post. Celta are not too interested in defending at the moment as they continue to push players forward.
The away side make their third and final change as Santi Mina replaces Charles, who has missed two golden opportunities this evening. Madrid are down the other end with Jese moments later, with the Spaniard winning a corner from Mallo. Little over 10 minutes remaining at the Bernabeu.
Possession football from the home side in the last couple of moments as they pass and probe outside the box. Celta have a half-chance on the counter moments later as Rafinha finds some space inside the box, but Modric is across to make a fine last-ditch challenge. The away side are still in this match that is for certain.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Celta Vigo (Ronaldo)
The home side have their second inside the final 10 minutes as Ronaldo taps a low Carvajal cross into the back of the net from close range. Game, set and match.
It is tough on Celta, who have deserved to take something from this match, but that is football at the highest level. The points are secure for the home side, with the win set to move them to within five points of Atletico Madrid and Barcelona. Little over five minutes of the second period remaining.
Just a reminder that we have one more live La Liga commentary this evening with Rayo Vallecano welcoming Villarreal in the 9pm start. Our coverage gets underway from 8.30pm. Half-chance for Celta moments later as Rafinha drives into the Madrid box, but Carvajal is across to make a fine challenge at the vital moment. Little over two minutes of normal time remaining.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Celta as Cabral meets a deep cross from Nolito at the far post, but somehow he plants his effort wide of the post. The away side have had some serious chances this evening.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes and we are indeed into the second of those. Bale tries his luck from outside the box, but his effort is straight at Yoel from close range. That should be just about that for this one.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-0 Celta Vigo (Ronaldo)
The home side have their third in stoppage time as Bale drives down the right before finding Ronaldo, who turns home from close range.
FULL TIME: Real Madrid 3-0 Celta Vigo
So there we have it. Madrid continue their winning run at the Bernabeu with a 3-0 success over Celta. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us again from 8.30pm for more Spanish football. Until then!
