Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham (C) vies with Oscar Mingueza (L) of RC Celta during the Laliga football match between Real Madrid and RC Celta in Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid, Spain, on May 4, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
MADRID, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Kylian Mbappe and Arda Guler were Real Madrid's heroes as Carlo Ancelotti's side survived a second-half fightback to hold on for a 3-2 win at home to Celta Vigo.
Guler put Madrid ahead with an excellent 33rd-minute strike, with Mbappe doubling the lead on the break five minutes later.
When the French forward took advantage of Guler's pass to add a third goal early in the second half, it looked to be game over for Real Madrid, however, Javi Rodriguez pulled a goal back for Celta with 21 minutes left to play after Madrid failed to clear a free kick.
Iago Aspas then set up Williot Swedberg to make it 3-2 with 15 minutes left to play, and Madrid needed an excellent save from Thibaut Courtois to deny Celta an equalizer with 10 minutes left to play.
Fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao drew 0-0 in the Basque derby away to Real Sociedad after a solid defensive display in a game of few chances.
Real Sociedad was looking for a good result for coach Imanol Alguacil, who announced last week that he would leave the club at the end of the season, but was unable to break down a solid visiting defense, despite Athletic having played in the Europa League on Thursday night.
Real Betis moved to within four points of Athletic after two late goals overturned a 1-0 deficit away to Espanyol.
Roberto Fernandez had given Espanyol a first-half lead, but Giovanni Lo Celso and Antony scored after 85 and 91 minutes to give Betis three vital points.
Sevilla and Leganes drew 2-2 with a result that leaves both sides in the relegation dogfight, although the home team remains six points from the bottom three with just four matches and 12 points still to play for this season.
A much-changed Barcelona side had to come from 1-0 down to win 2-1 away to bottom side Real Valladolid on Saturday, ensuring Barca takes a four-point lead over Real Madrid into next weekend's El Clasico.
Alaves claimed a vital point in the struggle to avoid relegation with a 0-0 draw at home to Atletico Madrid, which became even more valuable after Las Palmas slid to a 3-2 defeat at home to Valencia.
Villarreal kept the pressure on for a place in next season's Champions League after winning 4-2 at home to Osasuna, with Ayoze Perez scoring twice, while on Friday Rayo Vallecano won 1-0 at home to Getafe. ■
Judy Bellingham (L) of Real Madrid vies with Fran Beltran of RC Celta during the Laliga football match between Real Madrid and RC Celta in Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid, Spain, on May 4, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
Players of Real Madrid celebrate a goal during the Laliga football match between Real Madrid and RC Celta in Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid, Spain, on May 4, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
Kylian Mbappe (R) of Real Madrid vies with Hugo Sotelo of RC Celta during the Laliga football match between Real Madrid and RC Celta in Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid, Spain, on May 4, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
Vinicius Junior (front) of Real Madrid vies with Javi Rodriguez of RC Celta during the Laliga football match between Real Madrid and RC Celta in Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid, Spain, on May 4, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
Vinicius Junior (L) of Real Madrid reacts during the Laliga football match between Real Madrid and RC Celta in Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid, Spain, on May 4, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
Players of RC Celta celebrate a goal during the Laliga football match between Real Madrid and RC Celta in Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid, Spain, on May 4, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
Kylian Mbappe (L) and Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid celebrate a goal during the Laliga football match between Real Madrid and RC Celta in Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid, Spain, on May 4, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
Kylian Mbappe (R) of Real Madrid vies with Yoel Lago of RC Celta during the Laliga football match between Real Madrid and RC Celta in Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid, Spain, on May 4, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid celebrates a goal during the Laliga football match between Real Madrid and RC Celta in Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid, Spain, on May 4, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
