Celta Vigo 1-2 Real Madrid result – Federico Valverde scores injury-time winner to snatch vital La Liga victory

A deflected injury-time strike from Federico Valverde was enough for Real Madrid to prevail 2-1 against Celta Vigo.

With 10 players currently out injured, Los Blancos were down to their bare-bones coming into the important stage of the season.

Despite being handed consecutive La Liga defeats there was early optimism for the visitors, who took an 11th-minute lead courtesy of an Aurelien Tchouameni strike following a short corner routine.

However, Alvaro Arbeloa’s side were vulnerable at the back and the Sky Blues pulled level after Williot Swedberg got the beating of Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Swedish winger sprinted to the byline before pulling back for Borja Iglesias to equalise after 25 minutes.

Madrid failed to find a way through but felt they deserved a second half penalty, only for VAR to judge that Ferran Jutgla was pushed before pushing the ball with his arm inside the box.

Celta Vigo talisman Iago Aspas came on as a late substitute and was only denied the winner by the woodwork with three minutes remaining, after his shot across goal had Thibaut Courtois beaten.

However, Valverde stepped up and his strike outside the box hit the net via a wicked deflection to earn his side three vital points in the La Liga title race.

Real Madrid struggled to create clear openings this evening after Diaz failed to make an impact after coming into the team. The visitors had just three shots on target during the 90 minutes, but importantly scored two goals.

Rodrygo is likely to be out of the rest of the season with a knee injury and Madrid are down to their bare bones. The inability to challenge in front of goal could cost Los Blancos in all competitions.

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Alvaro Arbeloa argued that Real Madrid are far from out of the La Liga title race and they showed the touch of champions this evening. It was a far from convincing display, but Valverde stepped up to hit the winner when it mattered.

Barcelona’s lead has been cut to one point before their trip to Athletico Bilbao tomorrow night.

The Sky Blues are stunned as Valverde has robbed them of a deserved point against Real Madrid. There was little between the sides before the injury time deflected strike gave Los Blancos three vital points.

That’s full-time and Real Madrid leave it late to snatch a 2-1 victory against Celta Vigo. They didn’t deserve to win but have taken the three points.

It’s the latest of winners for Real Madrid. The ball deflects around the Celta Vigo box before Valverde sees his strike take a huge deflection and in.

The Madrid man landed a heavy challenge on Aspas and is booked. Celta also make a change as Moriba is replaced by Vecino. Five minutes to be added on

One last throw of the dice for Los Blancos as Ibanez comes on for Pitarch.

Was that the moment Celta Vigo could have won it?

The ball is played to the feet of skipper Aspas on the counter-attack. He takes a touch to drag the ball from his marker and his effort across goal rattles the post.

The Madrid goal scorer is rightfully booked after catching Starfelt with a late lunge after the ball had gone.

All-time leading goal scorer for Celta Vigo, Aspas, comes on for the last 10 minutes or so. He replaces Mingueza.

The hosts were forced to wait a good few minutes before making the change as Madrid kept the ball.

The Madrid forward has failed to have a big impact on this game and he makes way for Garcia.

It’s a big moment in this game as a Los Blancos corner looks to have come off the arm of Jutgla. However, he was pushed by Tchouamen and after a VAR review the penalty isn’t awarded.

Jutgla off for Alvarez; El Abdellaoui replaces Iglesias; Swedberg goes off for Lopez 

The Madrid substitute is well placed as Vinicius Junior rolls the ball into his path. However, the youngster sees his effort deflected over the crossbar by Starfelt. Moments later Valverde sends an effort over the crossbar.

Vinicius Junior is again the instigator of the Real Madrid attack. The talisman cuts inside and then strikes his effort straight into the goalkeeper.

A first change for Los Blancos as Guler is replaced by Palacios 

Real Madrid build an excellent passage of play and looked almost certain to score a second. The ball came back on the edge of the box for Pitarch whose effort was denied by Starfelt

The Madrid full-back had to be alert to block the run of Jutgla, who was in a dangerous position. From the resulting corner the ball is flicked up by Jutgla into the arms of the goalkeeper.