Real Madrid kept their La Liga title chase alive with a dramatic late win over Celta Vigo, sealing all three points in stoppage time after a tense and hard-fought contest. Despite being severely depleted by injuries, the side led by Álvaro Arbeloa showed resilience and determination, relying heavily on emerging talents from Real Madrid Castilla.

The match was largely dictated by the midfield battle, but it was ultimately decided in the dying seconds when Federico Valverde unleashed a powerful strike that took a slight deflection off Marcos Alonso before finding the back of the net. The goal sent the home crowd into celebration and ensured Real Madrid remain firmly in pursuit of Barcelona in the race for the La Liga crown.

The game began at a frantic pace with chances at both ends. Thibaut Courtois produced an early save to deny Borja Iglesias, while moments later Vinícius Júnior rattled the post with a dangerous effort. Real Madrid eventually broke the deadlock through Aurélien Tchouaméni, who finished clinically after a well-worked corner routine involving Trent Alexander-Arnold and Arda Güler.

Celta Vigo, however, refused to back down and managed to restore parity in the second half, setting up a tense finale. The officiating by Isidro Díaz de Mera sparked controversy throughout the match. The referee first waved away strong penalty appeals from Real Madrid after a suspected handball by Abde Ezzalzouli, instead awarding a questionable foul against Nicolás Paz. Later, he ignored a challenge on Fer López moments before the decisive goal, adding further drama to the encounter.

Once again, Federico Valverde proved to be the hero for Real Madrid. With just seconds remaining in stoppage time, the Uruguayan midfielder fired a thunderous shot that secured a priceless victory and kept the title race alive.

2025-26, Spain - La Liga

Celta - Real Madrid 1:2 (1:1)
Goals: Tchouaméni, 11 (0:1); Iglesias, 25 (1:1); Valverde F., 90 (1:2)

Celta: Radu A.; Starfelt; Mingueza (Aspas, 83); Carreira; Alonso M.; Rodriguez J.; Moriba (Vecino, 90); Jutgla (Alvarez H., 70); Román; Swedberg (Lopeez F., 69); Iglesias (El-Abdellaoui, 70)
Substitution: Lopeez F. (from 69); Alvarez H. (from 70); El-Abdellaoui (from 70); Aspas (from 83); Vecino (from 90)
Bench: Villar; Aidoo; Fernandez Man.; Núñez Ál.; Rueda; Domínguez C.; Sotelo
Yellow Cards: Iglesias 31

Real: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold; Asencio R.; Rudiger; Mendy Fe.; Tchouaméni; Güler A. (Palacios, 65); Diaz Br. (García G., 77); Pitarch (Moran, 90); Valverde F.; Vinícius Júnior
Substitution: Palacios (from 65); García G. (from 77); Moran (from 90)
Bench: Lunin Andriy; Mestre; Carvajal; García Fr.; Aguado D.; Cestero
Yellow Cards: Tchouaméni 86; Asencio R. 90