Winning Ways ⚡️
Real Madrid sailed the ship in the right direction after surrendering a sixth-minute goal against Almeria, with David Alaba’s free-kick securing Los Blancos all three points with a quarter-hour left. Having defeated Celta Vigo in their last three encounters, Carlo Ancelotti anticipated making it two victories on the bounce to open the season.
Real Madrid last won their two openers LaLiga games in a single season in 2018/19 under Julen Lopetegui. The pre-season wasn’t up to the mark, but they thoroughly articulated their goal—no messing around as they are optimistic about securing their Spanish Title once again.
🅢🅞🅤🅡🅒🅔
Real Madrid made four changes to the XI that beat Almeria last weekend. Carvajal, Militao and Alaba replaced Vazquez, Rudiger and Nacho in defense while Modric replaced Kroos in midfield.
REAL MADRID XI (4-3-3): Thibaut Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy; Luka Modric, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga; Federico Valverde, Karim Benzema, Vinicius Junior.
SUBS: Lucas Vazquez, Marco Asensio, Mariano, Jesus Vallejo, Dani Ceballos, Andriy Lunin, Eden Hazard, Luis Lopez, Nacho, Antonio Rudiger.
⚫🟡 HALA MADRID! 🟡⚫
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) August 20, 2022
👕 Available 👉 12/09/2022@adidasfootball | #CeltaRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/twrMg2WRfC
Celta Vigo frittered away a two-goal lead to earn a 2-2 draw with Espanyol at home in the first game of the season, with Iago Aspas again scoring for the Galician club. Their task got even more complicated, welcoming Real Madrid to the Abanca-Balaidos - where they haven’t beaten the Merengues since 2014.
𝕌𝕟𝕒 𝕖𝕞𝕠𝕔𝕚𝕠́𝕟 ✨💙 𝕌𝕟 𝕤𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕞𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕠
— RC Celta (@RCCelta) August 20, 2022
¡Vamos a por todas, afición! 🙌#CeltaRealMadrid #FagamosHistoria pic.twitter.com/bi1zP5uSm0
Celta Vigo made one change to the XI that earned a 2-2 draw last time out, with Tapia replacing Solari in midfield.
CELTA VIGO XI (4-3-1-2): Agustin Marchesin; Javi Galan, Unai Nunez, Joseph Aidoo, Hugo Mallo; Franco Cervi, Renato Tapia, Oscar Rodriguez; Fran Beltran; Goncalo Paciencia, Iago Aspas.
SUBS: Augusto Solari, Carles Perez, Gabriel Veiga, Carlos Dominguez, Francisco Lopez, Miguel Rodriguez, Oscar Mingueza, Kevin Vazquez, Luca De La Torre, Miguel Baeza, Williot Swedberg.
📷💙🔥
— RC Celta (@RCCelta) August 20, 2022
¡Nuestro once en Abanca Balaídos!#CeltaRealMadrid #FagamosHistoria pic.twitter.com/PgfYlNb3YO
The hosts were finding joy down the right-hand side in the early stages, with Cervi and Mallo combining well to free up space for Aspas and the imposing Paciencia. Mendy and Alaba certainly had their defensive work cut out for them.
🅢🅞🅤🅡🅒🅔
The hosts started very well, but they had to dig themselves out of a hole if they wished to get something from the match as Madrid won an early penalty to make life more difficult for struggling Celta Vigo. Tapia and Mallo were in a furious conversation with the referee. Still, the replay did Celta Vigo no favors as Mallo’s outstretched arm clearly blocked the ball, allowing Aidoo to clear his lines.
NO DOUBT ABOUT IT! 1-0! Benzema stepped up and calmly rolled his penalty into the bottom-right corner, sending Marchesin the wrong way in the process!
☝️ First @LaLiga goal of the season!
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) August 23, 2022
🎯 @Benzema#LaLigaHighlights pic.twitter.com/yYXMPzS92c
Celta didn’t take long to find a solution. It’s another handball, with Militao the culprit this time. Paciencia went up with the center-back in order to win the header, nodding it right into the outstretched arm of the Brazil international! PENALTY TO CELTA VIGO! CELTA VIGO ANSWERED BACK! 1-1!
⚽️✅ Objetivo: Desbloqueado
— RC Celta (@RCCelta) August 24, 2022
💙 Concentración + calidad + sentimiento
👑 @aspas10 vs @thibautcourtois#RCCelta #AbancaBalaidos #LaLigaHighlights pic.twitter.com/tUpm6R5sFe
Celta Vigo have failed to win any of their last 16 games against Real Madrid in LaLiga (D2 L14) since a 2-0 win in May 2014 – this is their longest winless run against them in the top flight.
They didn’t want to stretch that burden of the record further. But Modric was in a different mood. Celta was helpless. If someone had to blame, it was Modric. He can’t be that good. It’s criminal. A SUBLIME GOAL FROM MADE IT 2-1! INCREDIBLE! It’s a sensational goal from the Croatia captain, who received a pass from Alaba before cutting inside and curling a delightful shot into the top corner - leaving Marchesin rooted to the spot! A treat to the eyes unless you support Barcelona or Celta.
🤯 @lukamodric10 🤝 WORLDIES 🤯@LaLigaEN | #LaLigaHighlights pic.twitter.com/KEU8bsA0Bs
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) August 23, 2022
Celta Vigo definitely felt unlucky to be behind after an excellent first half. Still, often all it takes is a bit of magic to separate two teams - with Modric's effort undoubtedly falling in that category. There's still all to play for, but it's an advantage to the visitors!
Celta Vigo had to continue playing with the same intensity as the first half, catching their opponents in dangerous areas and flooding their full-backs forward to provide a different delivery angle. But they made the mistake of forgetting about Vinicius’ pace. Carvajal found Modric in space, and again the midfield maestro picked out a pass from the top shelf, placing it between the center-backs for the streaking Vinicius. The Brazil international drew the keeper off his line and rounded him before tucking it away neatly in the empty net! 3-1! It’s another spectacular goal from Real Madrid, who hit on the counter with pace after Celta Vigo’s attack broke down.
⚡ Fast as lightning! ⚡
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) August 23, 2022
🇧🇷 @vinijr@LaLigaEN | #LaLigaHighlights pic.twitter.com/6o4qZj07B2
Celta’s suffering from Vinicius wasn’t finished yet. Vinicius added an assist alongside his goal. Another Real Madrid counter led to a goal, with Tchouameni leading the charge through midfield. He spread it out to the left to Vinicius, who executed a trademark stepover before centering a pass across the penalty area. VALVERDE ADDS ANOTHER! Dispatched a first-time effort into the far corner! 4-1!
🚂 @fedeevalverde INCOMING!@LaLigaEN | #LaLigaHighlights pic.twitter.com/RmFniuNl9z
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) August 23, 2022
There was no stopping for Madrid. To fire up things, they won another penalty. Benzema sacrificed the opportunity for a double and handed the task over to Hazard to help him gain his confidence back. A true Leader.
Unfortunately, Hazard failed to convert though he was brilliant with his minutes. Just another Thursday for him.
🇫🇷 Oh là là ! pic.twitter.com/wstcMq8ecm
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) August 21, 2022
Camavinga and Tchouameni was impressive. Filling in for someone like Casemiro is never easy, but they did the best possible.
🅢🅞🅤🅡🅒🅔
There was always Valverde. I don’t know what this guy can’t do. He was everywhere. Somebody needs to check how many lungs he possesses. If you love football, you can’t but love him; he is that good.
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