Real Madrid were once again on the edge of the abyss — this time Valverde pulled them back
Reading Time: 4min | Sat. 07.03.26. | 10:53
Los Blancos were close to another major slip-up, but a goal in the final moments of the match secured them a 2–1 victory over Celta
If there’s no penalty, there’s no win for Real. That’s been the pattern this year, as they’ve struggled to scrape points without a shot from the spot. They lost to Osasuna (1–2) and Getafe (0–1) in the previous two rounds, matches where there was no “Penalti a favor del Real Madrid.” Now Alvaro Arbeloa’s team has shown they don’t live off “refereeing mercy” and that they can win without a penalty.
In the opening match of round 27 of the Spanish league, Real defeated Celta in Vigo 2–1 (1–1), even though the hosts were the better side. Borja Iglesias finally “broke the curse” against the Madrid club, scoring his first goal against the Spanish giants in his 12th match against them, and he could have had more.
In the end, Iago Aspas missed the chance to give Celta the lead as his late shot hit the post, while Valverde had the luck to bundle the ball into the net for the win.
It was tense right from the start – fast pace, hard tackles, and high intensity on both sides in Vigo. Arbeloa’s plan was for Brahim Diaz and Vinicius to buzz down the wings, while Arda Guler played a sort of false nine, drifting and slipping into spaces everywhere.
Real Madrid started with a high press, which could have backfired, as Borja Iglesias had a great chance as early as the fifth minute from the edge of the box. He aimed for the small netting, the lower right corner with his left foot, but Courtois dealt with it easily.
Courtois was flying like Robin van Persie back at the 2010 World Cup, rushing far outside the box to head away a long ball while falling, clearing it before it could reach Jutgla.
Shortly after, Vinicius hit the right post following a long pass from Trent. In the 11th minute, everything paid off for the visitors from Madrid. After a short corner and a rehearsed move, Guler laid the ball off to Tchouameni about ten meters out, and the French international smashed it in off the post to give Real the lead.
Borja Iglesias was a serious problem for Real Madrid throughout the first half, so it was no surprise when he equalized in the 25th minute. It was obvious they couldn’t contain him, especially Alexander-Arnold, who had to drop deep to cover teammates.
And when it comes to Trent, it was the usual story—he left his man and allowed him to escape, letting Celta draw level. Iglesias did everything: scored, shot, bullied the visiting players, committed hard fouls, received a yellow card… whatever you could tick off the list, he managed it.
It’s worth noting that “Panda” scored his first goal against Madrid after 11 matches. As for Real, their defense with Trent was truly disastrous, but fortunately for them their net didn’t shake again before halftime.
Celta managed to suffocate the visitors in the second half, which lacked the excitement of the first, as both teams were perhaps too cautious. Instead of open football, there were only half-chances and half-threats at both ends, though both sides clearly wanted all three points.
Celta’s coach brought on Iago Aspas in the 83rd minute, hoping he could slip one through or produce some magic like he did in the first meeting in Madrid earlier this season.
The living legend of the Vigo club almost did just that, hitting the post from about ten meters out after dribbling past his marker. Just minutes after coming on, he aimed for the lower right corner, but only rattled the frame of Courtois’ goal.
When it seemed the points would be shared, a scorer of big goals appeared—Federico Valverde. He ran onto a rebound at the edge of the box, struck it hard, and the ball deflected off an opposing player, deceiving the goalkeeper and ending up in the net.
LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 27
Friday
Celta - Real Madrid 1-2 (1-1)
/Iglesias 25 - Tchouameni 11, Valverde 90+4/
Saturday
16.00: (1.75) Osasuna (3.60) Mallorca (5.60)
18.15: (2.85) Levante (3.30) Girona (2.50)
20.30: (1.63) Atletico Madrid (3.80) Sociedad (5.70)
23.00: (4.75) Ath.Bilbao (4.35) Barcelona (1.65)
Sunday
16.00: (1.50) Villareal (4.55) Elche (6.20)
18.15: (2.80) Getafe (2.85) Betis (2.95)
20.30: (2.50) Sevilla (3.05) Rayo Vallecano (3.10)
23.00: (2.10) Valencia (3.15) Alaves (3.95)
Monday
23.00: (1.95) Espanyol (3.40) Oviedo (4.10)
***odds are subject to change***