Merciless Mbappe and young Guler don't give Barca a break

The title race in La Liga may be over soon, but not before next week's El Classico. Yesterday, Barca struggled but beat Real Valladolid, while Real Madrid responded by brushing Celta aside today - 3-2.

The visitors from Vigo were a decent opponent during the opening half an hour, but once Arda Guler broke the deadlock, Los Blancos took control. Kylian Mbappe doubled the home team's lead six minutes before the break and then completed a brace three minutes after it, exploiting Guler's terrific pass.

Yet, Celta woke up, Iago Aspas entered the pitch, and started making magic and suddenly, the scoreboard showed 3-2, after Javier Rodriguez and Williot Swedberg reduced the gap in the span of six minutes (69th and 76th). Still, Madrid managed to defend the lead and obtain three hard-won points, though their second-half performance was very subpar.

Realistically speaking, the rivals should have been level at the break. When it comes to chances created, Celta weren't subordinate to Real Madrid at all. On the contrary, the visitors from Vigo had two decent chances over Marcos Alonso and Yoel Lago after corner kicks, but they failed to score.

The punishment for those misses came in the 33rd minute when Arda Guler - Rodrygo's replacement in the XI - scored a beauty from the first notable opportunity Los Blancos had.

Five minutes later, following Celta's hasty counter, Thibaut Courtois superbly stopped Borja Iglesias' effort, initiating his team's fastbreak, which ended with Kylian Mbappe's marvellous finish, as the Frenchman doubled Madrid's lead and secured Carlo Ancelotti a peaceful half-time talk.

The Italian could be thrilled after - three minutes into the second half - Mbappe complected a brace, reacting perfectly to Guler's timely pass. At that point, it seemed that Celta wouldn't be able to make a comeback (as they had done in the Copa del Rey clash in January) and that the race between Madrid and Barcelona would continue.

Following the third goal, Carletto used a comfortable advantage to give a chance to a young defender Jacobo Ramon, replacing Raul Asencio.

Despite being three goals down, Celta chased a goal and managed to score after Javier Rodriguez used the melee in Madrid's box after a corner kick to smash the ball into Courtois' net, making it 3-1.

Red Devils and Real Madrid on a mission - outsmarting Benfica

However, when Iago Aspas - minutes after entering the game - sent a magnificent defence-splitting pass for Williot Swedberg, who made it 3-2, it was clear that Madrid boss made a mistake. Aspas continued tormenting the home crew's defence, creating another colossal chance for Pablo Duran, but Courtois managed to save his team.

Thanks to today's hard-won victory, Los Blancos closed the gap to Barca to for points, as the upcoming El Classico could either provide the title race winner or additionally complicate it.

LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 34

Friday

Rayo Vallecano - Getafe 1-0 (1-0)

/Lejeune 7/

Saturday

Alaves - Atl. Madrid 0-0

Villarreal - Osasuna 4-2 (3-0)

/Perez 2, 39, Barry 33, Pepe 71 - Garcia 66, Oroz 81/

Las Palmas - Valencia 2-3 (1-1)

/Ramirez 45+2 pen, McBurnie 83 - Duro 22, 58, Suarez 75 og/

Valladolid - Barcelona 1-2 (1-0)

/Sanchez 6 - Raphinha 54, Lopez 60/

Sunday

Real Madrid - Celta 3-2 (2-0)

/Guler 33, Mbappe 39, 48 - Rodriguez J. 69, Swedberg 76/

17.15: (1.85) Sevilla (3.30) Leganes (5.35)

19.30: (3.20) Espanyol (3.30) Betis (2.45)

22.00: (2.55) Sociedad (3.20) Ath.Bilbao (3.15)

Monday

22.00: (2.10) Girona (3.35) Mallorca (4.00)

***odds are subject to change***