Valverde, Endrick and referee saved Real from another loss

Real somehow managed to survive against Celta in the Copa del Rey Round of 16 but it was a real struggle. The visitors from Vigo put up a strong fight against the shaken Madrid came back from 0-2, and forced extra time before finally succumbing in the second period. The match was decided by the individual brilliance of two substitutes, as Endrick and Fede Valverde struck two quick goals in the span of four minutes. In the end, a 5-2 victory served as "artificial respiration" for Carlo Ancelotti.

The legendary coach was booed at the start of the match (along with Mendy and Tchouaméni) due to the debacle in Jeddah. The team was still reeling from Barcelona's five-goal humiliation, and preparing for last night’s game wasn’t easy. However, Madrid managed to rise from the situation and now head into the rest of the league campaign in much better psychological shape than after the Super Cup. Celta perhaps didn’t deserve such a heavy defeat and will likely have complaints about the refereeing. Most notably, late in the first half, just 20 seconds before Real's opening goal, a penalty wasn’t awarded for a foul by Lunin on Svedberg. They may also dispute Endrick’s tackle on Starfelt, which could arguably have been deemed a red card.

Young Endrick may not have delivered his best performance since joining Real, but he certainly scored his most important goals. His strike in the 108th minute hinted at the resolution of the dramatic affair, while his goal in the 120th minute added the finishing touch. Between those two goals, Valverde contributed a small masterpiece of his own. Madrid’s initial two-goal lead was largely down to a lively Kylian Mbappé. The Frenchman launched a counterattack immediately after the penalty wasn’t awarded to Celta, handling everything himself and driving the ball into the net with his left foot. Vinícius Júnior made it 2-0, with Mbappé playing a significant role in the move. Real wasn’t at its best, yet they held a secure advantage, and few believed anything could go wrong. However, a bit of complacency and lack of confidence allowed Celta to score twice in eight minutes.

First, Eduardo Camavinga made a catastrophic error that Jonathan Bamba capitalized on, and then young Raúl Asensio fouled the same player. Interestingly, veteran Marcos Alonso, who spent eight years in Real's youth academy and whose grandfather Markitos won five European titles with Madrid, converted the penalty for Celta. It seemed football might script another exciting underdog story, but the team from Vigo couldn’t muster the strength for a complete turnaround in extra time. On the contrary, they completely folded after Endrick’s first goal.

COPA DEL REY - ROUND OF 16

Tuesday

Ourense - Valencia 0-2 (0-0)

/Carmona 50 og, Sadiq 78/

Wednesday

Almeria - Leganes 2-3 (1-1)

/Suarez 38, Lazaro 52 - Altimira 33, Fuente 76(p), Garcia 86/

Pontevedra - Getafe 0-1 (0-1)

/Rodriguez 2/

Barcelona - Betis 5-0 (2-0)

/Gavi 3, Kounde 27, Raphinha 58, Torres 67, Yamal 75/

Elche - Atl.Madrid 0-4 (0-2)

/Sorloth 8, 29, Riquelme 61, Alvarez 75/

Thursday

Ath.Bilbao - Osasuna 2-3 (1-2)

/Williams N. 45+3, De Marcos 55 - Oroz 40, Budimir 44 pen, 70/

Sociedad - Rayo Vallecano 3-1 (2-1)

/Oyarzabal 23, Olasagasti 45+1, Gomez 79 - Trejo 45+7 pen/

Real Madrid - Celta 5-2 a.e.t (2-2)

/Mbappe 37, Vinicius Jr 48, Endrick 108, 119, Valverde 112 - Bamba 83, Alonso 90+1 pen/