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Real Madrid's Deflected Winner Keeps Title Hopes Alive in Dramatic Vigo Clash

Real Madrid secured a dramatic 2-1 victory away to Celta Vigo with a stoppage-time winner from Federico Valverde that took a decisive deflection. Aurelien Tchouameni had opened the scoring with a spectacular long-range curler in the first half, only for Borja Iglesias to level the match for the hosts. The game saw several key moments, including a disallowed penalty for Madrid and a late Iago Aspas shot that hit the post, before fortune favored the visitors at the death. The vital three points keep Madrid firmly in the La Liga title race, preventing Barcelona from potentially opening a significant gap.

Key Points: Real Madrid Wins Late vs. Celta Vigo to Stay in La Liga Race

  • 94th-minute deflected winner
  • Tchouameni scores stunning opener
  • Celta equalize through Iglesias
  • Title race stays alive
2 min read

Real Madrid stays in title race as deflected goal gives late win in Vigo

A deflected Federico Valverde goal in stoppage time gives Real Madrid a crucial 2-1 win over Celta Vigo, keeping pressure on Barcelona.

"Valverde's 94th-minute shot... took a huge deflection off Marcos Alonso, leaving home goalkeeper Ionut Radu helpless - Xinhua"

Madrid, March 7

Real Madrid stayed in the La Liga title race on Friday night thanks to a stroke of luck that earned a 2-1 win away to Celta Vigo.

The game looked to be heading for a 1-1 draw, a result that would have given FC Barcelona the chance to move six points clear at the top of La Liga. But Federico Valverde's 94th-minute shot from outside the Celta penalty area took a huge deflection off Marcos Alonso, leaving home goalkeeper Ionut Radu helpless, reported Xinhua.

Real Madrid, missing Kylian Mbappe, Eder Militao, Jude Bellingham and David Alaba, took the lead in the 11th minute with an excellent goal from Aurelien Tchouameni, who curled a spectacular shot in from distance.

The lead didn't last long. In the 25th minute, Borja Iglesias leveled for Celta with his first goal against Real Madrid. Williot Swedberg found space behind Trent Alexander-Arnold, turned the full-back and pulled the ball back for Iglesias to sweep past goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Tchouameni was Real Madrid's best player in the first half as he broke up play and set his side on the front foot, but Celta was sitting deep and denying Brahim Diaz and Vinicius Jr. space.

Courtois made a flying save to stop Swedberg giving the hosts the lead shortly before the break.

Real Madrid thought they had a penalty late on when Ferran Jutgla handled a cross in the Celta box, but the incident was ruled out for an earlier push on Ilaix Moriba.

Iago Aspas got the ball past Courtois in the closing minutes, but the ball came back off the post, before fortune again smiled on Madrid with Valverde's deflected winner.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Tchouameni was absolutely brilliant! That goal was a stunner. Real Madrid showed character to grind out a win despite so many key players missing. The luck with the deflection evens out over a season, I suppose.
V
Vikram M
Celta Vigo will feel so hard done by. They played well, hit the post, and then lose to a deflected goal in the 94th minute. Football can be cruel. Respect to them for making a game of it against the giants.
R
Rohit P
With all due respect to Madrid's win, the quality of the game seemed a bit off without Bellingham and Mbappe. The midfield lacked its usual creativity. They got the three points, but they'll need their stars back for the big clashes ahead.
S
Sarah B
That's the kind of win that defines a championship season. Gritty, lucky, and at the death. Courtois' save before halftime was massive. The title race just got a lot more interesting!
K
Karthik V
As a neutral Indian fan, this is why we love football! Last-minute drama, a wonder goal from Tchouameni, and a lucky deflection. Perfect Friday night entertainment, even if I had to watch the highlights in the morning. 🏆

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