Real Madrid vs. Celta de Vigo: A Thrilling Copa del Rey Encounter
On January 16, 2025, Real Madrid faced Celta de Vigo in a highly anticipated Copa del Rey Round of 16 match at the Santiago Bernabéu
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. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, ending in a dramatic 5-2 victory for Real Madrid after extra time
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The Build-Up
Real Madrid entered the match eager to bounce back from their recent 5-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final
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. The team was missing key players like Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão, but Carlo Ancelotti was confident in his squad’s ability to deliver
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. Celta de Vigo, on the other hand, had to navigate three tough cup ties to reach this stage, including a dramatic comeback against Racing Santander
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The Match
The game started with both teams showing intent
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. Real Madrid took the lead in the 37th minute through a spectacular solo goal by Kylian Mbappé, who dribbled past several defenders before finishing with a clinical strike
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. Vinícius Júnior doubled the lead three minutes into the second half with a swift finish
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However, Celta de Vigo refused to give up
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. Jonathan Bamba pulled one back in the 83rd minute, and Marcos Alonso equalized with a penalty in injury time
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. The match went into extra time with the score at 2-2
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Extra Time Drama
In extra time, Real Madrid showed their resilience
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. Endrick scored twice, including a spectacular left-footed strike and a backheel goal, to put Real Madrid ahead
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. Fede Valverde added another with a long-range rocket, making it 5-2
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. Despite a spirited fight from Celta, Real Madrid held on to secure their place in the quarter-finals
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Post-Match Reactions
Carlo Ancelotti praised his team’s fighting spirit and determination, while Celta’s manager acknowledged the tough challenge but remained optimistic about their future performances
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. Real Madrid fans were ecstatic, celebrating the team’s progress in the Copa del Rey and looking forward to the next round against UD Las Palmas
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Conclusion
The match was a testament to Real Madrid’s depth and resilience, as well as Celta de Vigo’s fighting spirit
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. It was a thrilling encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
For more details and highlights, you can watch the full match highlights here
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Do you think Real Madrid will go on to win the Copa del Rey this season?
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