Vital touch by Blanco! Vazquez breaks into the right-hand side of the Celta penalty area and this time heads towards the byline. He then fizzes a pass across the face of goal and towards a group of black shirts, but Blanco is there to knock the ball away from every Madrid player with an outstretched leg.
90' +1
Jozabed enters the game and replaces D. Wass.
Celta have made their third and final alteration, with Wass making way for Jozabed.
89'
Excellent chance for Madrid! Casemiro sends a brilliant pass into the hosts' box and straight into the chest of Vazquez. The substitute brings the ball down and takes on Blanco, but his thumping strike is sent straight at the goalkeeper, who parries the ball away from danger.
88'
Iago Aspas gets yellow.
Aspas is absolutely furious at the referee's decision not to award him a penalty, and he's eventually shown a yellow card for dissent after having a little too much to say to the man in charge.
87'
Huge call by the referee! Celta hit Madrid on the break once again as Aspas bursts down the right flank. He sprints deep into the visitors' half of the pitch and into the penalty area, where he's seemingly tripped over by Marcelo as he gets the better of the Brazilian. He immediately screams for a penalty, but the referee isn't at all interested and waves play on.
85'
Madrid have made a late switch, with Marco Asensio coming on to replace Bale.
84'
Marco Asensio enters the game and replaces G. Bale.
What a chance for Ronaldo! Space opens up for the Portuguese over on the left-hand side of the Celta box and presents him with arguably the best opportunity of the night, but he goes for the near post instead of the far and fires his effort a yard or so wide of the target. He really should have buried that!
82'
M. Gómez has scored a goal for Celta Vigo! Assist by D. Wass.
That was a great ball into the box from Wass, who has struggled to hit the target with some of his crosses but was at his best there. Madrid will be frustrated with how they defended there, however, as they allowed Gomez to get a free header on goal.
GOAL! Celta have equalised! Wass breaks down the right wing and gets himself into a promising position once again. This time he's able to lift a wonderful cross into the heart of the penalty area and right onto the head of Gomez, who gets the better of his marker before beating Navas with a brilliant downward header.
80'
Great opportunity for Ronaldo! Jonny has his pocket picked by Vazquez, who quickly breaks into the Celta half of the pitch and sets up Ronaldo to shoot. The Portuguese does so from just outside of the penalty area, but his low effort is tame and easily saved by Blanco.
78'
Good, quick play by Celta deep inside the Madrid half of the pitch looks as if it's going to result in a chance on goal for the home side, but Lobotka's pass into the penalty area is slightly overhit and can only find the feet of Vazquez.
Minute
Description
77'
M. Kovačić enters the game and replaces Isco.
76'
Lucas Vázquez enters the game and replaces L. Modrić.
Madrid have now made a double substitution of their own. Modric is the first player to make way, with Lucas Vazquez coming on in his place.
Meanwhile, Isco has been replaced by Mateo Kovacic.
74'
Chance for Hernandez! Aspas quickly pushes down the right wing as he desperately tries to make amends for his penalty miss, and he sends a great cross into the heart of the box. It perfectly picks out Hernandez, but the Chilean can't quite hit the target with his headed effort.
73'
S. Lobotka enters the game and replaces N. Radoja.
E. Mor enters the game and replaces P. Sisto.
And the second is Emre Mor, with Sisto surprisingly making way.
Celta have made a double change as they try to find a way back into the game. The first player to come on is Stanislav Lobotka, who replaces Radoja.
72'
Penalty saved by K. Navas!
SAVE! Aspas steps up and tries to beat Navas to his left, but the Costa Rican gets down low quickly and is able to push the ball away from goal with a wonderful one-handed stop.
Aspas went for the same corner of the goal from which he scored last time, but Navas must have done his homework. The strike was sent slightly too near to the goalkeeper as well, which made his task a little easier.
71'
K. Navas gets yellow.
PENALTY! An excellent piece of counter-attacking play from Celta looks set to result in a shot on goal for Aspas after he's set up by a clever through-ball by Jonny, but Navas rushes out and barges Aspas to the ground before he's able to pull the trigger. The Celta players and fans all scream for a red card, but the forward was heading away from goal and only really deserves a yellow card.
69'
Great play by Gomez! A clever pass down the right wing manages to pick out Wass, who, instead of whipping a cross into the penalty area, decides to flick the ball back to Aspas. The Spaniard darts into the box and cuts a pass over to Gomez, who pulls off a flick of his own but can't get the better of Navas.
67'
Hugo Mallo gets yellow.
Celta are getting themselves in good positions out wide, but they're struggling to make them count and are letting themselves down with poor crossing. Mallo is the latest player to fail to beat the first man, and he then catches Bale with a poorly timed challenge as the Welshman tries to break away quickly.
65'
Chance for Ronaldo! A well-placed cross is swung into the middle of the Celta box and manages to pick out Ronaldo in a promising position. He immediately sends a downward header towards goal, but it's comfortably pushed away by Blanco.
63'
The set-piece is worked short by Aspas before the forward swings a cross into the heart of the Madrid penalty area, but before it can pick out a team-mate, the referee awards a free-kick to Madrid for a push on Kroos from behind.
62'
After a period spent mainly on the back foot, Celta are enjoying a good period of possession at the moment. Aspas does really well over on the right flank once again before firing a low cross towards the near post, where Gomez charges towards the ball but has to settle for a corner after not quite managing to get a shot away from close range.
60'
Not far away by Jonny! Aspas breaks into the right-hand side of the Madrid penalty area and does really well to hold off three players as he charges into a pocket of space. He then pokes a pass over to Jonny and sets up the full-back to unleash a shot, and it's one that fizzes just a yard or so over the top of the crossbar.
58'
It hasn't quite been Ronaldo's night so far. Once again, he's presented with a good opportunity to break into the Celta box and get a shot away, but he's unable to find a way past Facundo Roncaglia and is well dealt with by the centre-back.
56'
Isco goes close! Achraf is caught late as he cuts inside from the right flank, resulting in a free-kick for Madrid in a promising position. It's taken quickly and worked over to Isco, who breaks into the penalty area and sends a curling strike just a yard or two wide of the far post.
54'
Achraf is able to break down the right wing on a marauding run after being left all alone by Hernandez. He then squares the ball over to Ronaldo and picks out the Portuguese on the edge of the hosts' box, but his first-time strike is woefully hit and almost sails out of the stadium.
53'
Important touch by Nacho! Sisto picks up the ball on the edge of the Madrid penalty area and immediately gets the better of Achraf. He heads towards the byline and then chips a cross over towards Gomez, who tries his hardest to latch onto the ball but loses to Nacho just in front of goal.
51'
Space opens up out wide for Ronaldo, who quickly tries to counter-attack after a Celta attacking move fails to result in a chance on goal. He's unable to find a way past Gustavo Cabral, however, and he has to settle for a free-kick after the centre-back pushes him to the ground as they battle for the ball.
49'
Madrid come back once again, with Isco playing an important role in the attacking move. He quickly cuts inside from the left wing and unleashes a shot from just outside of the box, but it's slightly underhit and fails to cause too many problems for Blanco in the middle of the goal.
47'
Madrid immediately go on the front foot as they try to extend their lead. Marcelo muscles his way into the Celta penalty area before teeing up Isco, who then tries to poke a pass into the path of a team-mate. It fails to find anyone inside the box, however, and the home side are easily able to clear the danger.
46'
We're underway once again!
45'
Aspas is caught slightly late by Modric and Celta are awarded another free-kick in a promising position. Wass' cross into the penalty area is a good one and is almost deflected down into the path of Aspas, but the ball bounces just slightly too far in front of the Spaniard on the edge of the six-yard box and into the hands of Navas.
44'
Casemiro gets yellow.
Casemiro bursts through the middle of the pitch and battles with Mallo as they do fight for the ball. It initially looks as if the Madrid midfielder has come out on top, but he's quickly penalised for a flailing arm that strikes the defender in the side of the face.
42'
The home side quickly make their way down the right channel and do well to win themselves a free-kick in a promising position. Aspas steps up and curls a cross into the penalty area, but it's slightly underhit by the Spaniard and is easily headed away from danger by Kroos.
40'
Celta are slightly sloppy in the middle of the pitch and are almost caught out by another quick counter-attack from the visitors, but Isco can't quite make his way into the hosts' half and is dispossessed by a well-timed sliding tackle.
38'
G. Bale has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by Isco.
That was beautiful vision by Isco, who perfectly picked out Bale after completely catching out the Celta centre-backs. It's raining goals, and that one doesn't look as if it's going to be the last of the night!
GOAL! Bale strikes again! Isco picks up the ball 25 yards away from goal and quickly sends a brilliant pass bouncing into the penalty area and towards Bale. The forward does brilliantly to skip past Mallo and towards the ball, which he flicks past Blanco and into the back of the net.
36'
G. Bale has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by T. Kroos.
That was really good play by Madrid after allowing themselves to be picked off far too easily on the counter-attack, but Celta will feel incredibly frustrated at their inability to deal with the danger. Gomez took far too long on the ball on the edge of the box and was made to pay for his indecisiveness.
GOAL! Madrid have equalised! Once again, it's a counter-attack that results in the ball finding the back of the net. Gomez isn't able to take advantage of a good chance on goal and allows the visitors to break forward quickly, setting up Kroos to poke a pass forward to Bale and tee up the Welshman to fire a great strike past Blanco.
35'
Celta are almost able to double their lead after more space opens up for them on the counter-attack, but, despite getting himself into a good position, Aspas can't beat Navas with his shot from the edge of the penalty area and it's easily stopped by the Costa Rican.
33'
D. Wass has scored a goal for Celta Vigo! Assist by Iago Aspas.
Assist Iago Aspas Juncal
GOAL! Celta take the lead! As expected, the home side are able to hit their opponents on an excellent counter-attack. Far too much space opens up for them, allowing Aspas to break forward before curling a lofted pass into the path of Wass. The Dane is all alone and heads towards the edge of the box before shooting, and he beats Navas with a beautiful chip right over the goalkeeper's head.
32'
Madrid are continuing to pile bodies forward as they try to find a way in front, and they're leaving themselves incredibly open at the back. So far, Celta haven't managed to take advantage of that fact, but it might not be long until they're finally able to do so.
30'
Wass cuts inside from the left flank and quickly whips a looping cross into the middle of the visitors' box. Aspas is able to latch onto the ball and nod it into the path of Gomez, but the Uruguayan runs away from the ball instead of towards it and a positive attacking move comes to an end.
28'
A poor attempted clearance from Navas spins out for a throw-in, allowing Celta to push forward quickly. They're unable to carve out a chance on goal, however, as Madrid quickly get enough bodies back to successfully deal with the danger.
26'
Thumping strike by Casemiro! The Brazilian is left in a pocket of space 25 yards away from goal and ends up rifling an absolute rocket of a shot towards goal, but it's well stopped by Blanco, who pulls off an acrobatic save to tip the effort over the crossbar.
24'
Great chance for Daniel Wass to open the scoring! Another excellent Celta counter-attack looks set to force Navas into making a save. Aspas and Gomez link up really well on the edge of the Madrid penalty area before the latter tees up Wass to shoot, but the Dane's effort is poorly hit and rolls comfortably past the far post. He really should have done better with that!
22'
Bale bursts down the left wing and into a good position near to the byline, but he's shepherded away from danger by Mallo and has to settle for a corner. It's whipped in by Toni Kroos and deflected out to Isco, who shoots from 30 yards out but sends his attempt on goal well wide of its intended target.
20'
Celta try to hit Madrid on another counter-attack over on the left flank after Madrid are unable to carve out a chance on goal, and Sisto does well to pick out Pablo Hernandez in a promising position inside the visitors' half of the pitch. The Chilean is quickly closed down by Modric, however, and the Croatian then does well to win his side a free-kick after being fouled from behind.
18'
Achraf fires a long ball down the right wing and picks out Luka Modric, who quickly spins round Jonny Castro and towards the byline. The midfielder then fires a low cross into the penalty area and towards Ronaldo, but it's slightly underhit and comfortably dealt with by the home side.
16'
Celta are doing well on the counter-attack, where they're causing problems for their opponents when Madrid pile plenty of bodies forward. They try to hit them on another determined move after an attack from the visitors fails to come to anything, but Gomez can't quite link up with Sisto out wide and the ball rolls out of play for a throw-in.
14'
A cross-field pass is blasted over to the left-hand side of the Celta penalty area and picks out Isco in a promising position. The midfielder quickly tries to beat Blanco with a thumping volleyed shot, but it sails a few yards wide of the far post.
12'
Aspas hits the post! Celta move the ball around wonderfully well before Hugo Mallo curls a beautiful cross into the heart of the visitors' box. Aspas beats both Madrid centre-backs and gets a volley away from six yards out, but it ends up smashing the woodwork after beating Navas.
10'
Almost a costly mistake by Nemanja Radoja! The defensive midfielder is sloppy in possession, allowing Cristiano Ronaldo to pick up the ball on the edge of the box. He quickly pokes the ball over to Marcelo and sets up the full-back to shoot, but there's far too much power behind the strike and it sails high over the top of the crossbar.
8'
Vital block by Nacho! An attempted Madrid attacking move breaks down, allowing Celta to counter-attack quickly. Maxi Gomez sends a clever pass through to Iago Aspas and sets up the Spaniard to break into the penalty area and shoot, but Nacho sticks out a leg to stop the strike from testing Keylor Navas.
6'
Almost another opportunity for Bale! Space opens up for the forward over on the left wing, allowing him to burst into the hosts' box on a marauding run. He beats his marker and heads along the byline, but he can't quite get the better of Ruben Blanco and loses out to the goalkeeper at the near post.
4'
After a few minutes on the back foot, Celta are able to push forward on their first attacking move of the game. It fails to result in a chance on goal for the home side, however, as an attempted pass down the left wing is deflected away from Pione Sisto and out for a throw-in.
2'
Early chance for Madrid! The visitors immediately go on the front foot as they put plenty of early pressure on their opponents. Isco twists and turns over on the left wing before chipping a cross into the middle of the box, where it picks out Gareth Bale. The Welshman can't quite control the ball, however, and Celta are just about able to clear the danger in time.
1'
We're off! Madrid get us underway, attacking from right to left.
Good evening and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s LaLiga game between Celta Vigo and Real Madrid at the Estadio Balaidos.
Tonight’s clash is Madrid’s first since their Clasico humiliation just before the winter break, and they’ll be aiming to bounce back with a victory as they attempt to keep the pressure firmly on Valencia and Atletico Madrid in the hunt for second place. Barcelona’s win at the Bernabeu extended their advantage of their bitter rivals to 14 points, all but ending Los Blancos’ chances of successfully defending their league title.
A largely second-string Madrid side were able to come away with a 3-0 win against Numancia in the Copa del Rey on Thursday, but they weren’t at their best and certainly need to perform much better tonight if they’re to pick up three much-needed points. Gareth Bale started and scored in Soria and will be hoping to continue his return from injury with another positive display this evening.
Madrid’s trip to the Club World Cup means they’ve only played one LaLiga game since the start of December, and they’ll be looking to use their success in Abu Dhabi to improve their domestic form. They’ve won just two of their last five domestic clashes, while away from home they’ve lost three in a row - their joint-worst run in the league since December 2008.
It’s been a tough recent period for Celta as well, as they have just one win from their last four LaLiga games, with that success coming away to Deportivo La Coruna in their final game before the winter break. They impressed in a 1-1 draw at home to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey during the week, however, highlighting just how difficult a side they can be to play against when they’re at their best.
That was certainly on show when these two sides met in the cup almost exactly a year ago. Celta scored twice in quick succession to beat Madrid 2-1, and that’s their only win against Los Blancos across the last eight meetings. Madrid came away with a 4-1 win in last season’s corresponding fixture, with Cristiano Ronaldo netting twice in what was a commanding victory.
There’s just under 15 minutes left to go until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this this evening…
Real Madrid substitutes: Casilla, Vallejo, Theo, Kovacic, Asensio, Vazquez, Mayoral.
Real Madrid XI (4-2-1-2): Navas; Achraf, Varane, Nacho, Marcelo; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Isco; Ronaldo, Bale.
Celta Vigo substitutes: Alvarez, Fontas, Lobotka, Jozabed, Gomez, Mor, Mendez.
Juan Carlos Unzue has decided to make two changes to the Celta side that beat Deportivo just before the winter break, with Facundo Roncaglia and Nemanja Radoja coming into the starting line-up to replace Sergi Gomez and Stanislav Lobotka, respectively.
Meanwhile, Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has made four alterations to the team that featured in their last league outing, with Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Mateo Kovacic and Karim Benzema making way for Achraf Hakimi, Nacho and Gareth Bale.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
HALF-TIME: CELTA VIGO 1-2 REAL MADRID
It looked as if it was going to be another miserable day for Madrid after they went behind through a great counter-attack from Celta, but they bounced back brilliantly and deservedly lead at the half-time break. Bale has thoroughly impressed the final third of the pitch, where his movement has caused plenty of problems for the hosts' defence. Los Blancos remain too open at the back, however, and that could continue to be a problem for them if they aren't at their best during what should be a fascinating second half.
The two teams are making their way back out on to the pitch ahead of the start of the second half. Neither side have made any substitutions during the half-time break.
Celta Vigo XI (4-3-3): Blanco; Mallo, Roncaglia, Cabral, Jonny; Wass, Radoja, Hernandez; Aspas, Gomez, Sisto.
FULL-TIME: CELTA VIGO 2-2 REAL MADRID
The referee blows his whistle for the final time and a rousing round of applause erupts around the stadium. Both sides battled hard through and, overall, a draw is certainly a fair result. Madrid were certainly the better of the two teams in the first half and did well to come back from a goal down, but Celta edged it after the break and showed great grit and determination to equalise through Gomez.
The draw is a hugely disappointing one for Madrid, however, as it leaves them in a miserable position in relation to their fierce rivals Barcelona. They're also five points behind third-place Valencia, although they still have a game in hand over them. They certainly need to win that if they're to put pressure on Atletico Madrid, who currently sit in second spot.
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