Federico Valverde scored in stoppage time to give Real Madrid a 2-1 victory over Celta Vigo, keeping them in contention for the La Liga title.
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Published March 6, 2026
Federico Valverde’s deflected shot four minutes into stoppage time gave Real Madrid a hard-fought 2-1 win at Celta Vigo in La Liga, ending a run of two consecutive defeats and keeping them firmly in the title race.
On Friday, Aurelien Choameni’s goal put the visitors ahead in the 11th minute, but Borja Iglesias equalized in the 25th minute when Williot Swedberg broke down the left flank and delivered a low cross.
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Trent Alexander-Arnold was largely responsible for the goal, allowing the Celta forwards to win the ball back before cutting inside to assist with a perfect lay-off.
Real, without nine players due to injuries and suspensions, controlled much of the second half without creating any clear-cut chances.
Vinicius Junior scored his team’s first shot on target since the first period in the 57th minute, firing a low shot at the goalkeeper from just outside the penalty area.
In the 88th minute, Celta counterattacked and substitute Iago Aspas hit the post before Valverde had a lucky shot from distance that was deflected by a defender and past the wrong-footed keeper.
There was more drama as Real’s celebrations turned tense. The teams were waiting to hear whether the referee would be asked to consider a possible foul in the build-up to the goal.
There was no such intervention and when the final whistle sounded seconds after the restart, Real’s relief and Celta’s distraught look were palpable.
“It hurt because I was so close to death,” Celta striker Iglesias said. “It’s a little frustrating.”
Barcelona lead with 64 points, one place ahead of Real, and will face Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
Celta remains in 6th place with a score of 40.
