After the embarrassment in the Supercopa against arch-rivals FC Barcelona, Real have been able to avert the next setback. In the cup, the royals defeated Celta Vigo in extra time.
There was tension in the air surrounding the otherwise regal white ballet after the 5-2 defeat in the Supercopa final against arch-rivals FC Barcelona – this was also evident before the kick-off of the round of 16 game in the Copa del Rey. In particular, coach Carlo Ancelotti and Tchouameni were to take the brunt of the fans’ frustration, with both of them being loudly booed at the Santiago Bernabeu during the team presentation.
And even the first few minutes did not improve the mood in the Spanish capital; in fact, Real were lucky that Starfelt’s header only hit the crossbar (5th minute). Only Tchouameni caused danger on the opposite side with his long-range shot (14th minute).
Celta Vigo demands a penalty, Real takes the lead
After a good half-hour, the home side should develop the best phase, but apart from a conclusion by Brahim Diaz from an acute angle, nothing significant should come of it (31).
So it lasted until the 37th minute before the events first took place: Swedberg appeared at the five-meter area of the royals and was brought down by Lunin. Referee José Luis Munuera Montero deemed the contact between the Real Madrid goalkeeper and the Swede’s ankle to be enough. While the guests were still complaining, Mbappé and Co switched purposefully. The star striker completed the attack with a beautiful solo effort to make it 1-0 at half-time.
Vinicius Junior and Mbappé miss the decision
After the restart, it was to be even more bitter for the guests. Two vertical passes were enough for the home side to get Vinicius Junior through and he was able to coolly push the ball into the net for the second goal of the evening (48′).
The hosts then pushed for the decision, but within a very short time, the two goal scorers Mbappé and Vinicius Junior had extended their respective double packs (58′, 59′, 63′). The visitors only managed to create a real chance when Sotelo hit a long-range shot on the hour mark.
However, the team from Madrid would pay for their profligacy in the end, with Camavinga making a terrible pass inside the box that allowed Bamba to score the visitors’ second (83). Marcos Alonso kept his nerve and sent both teams into extra time (90.+1).
Dream goals lead to Real victory
Not much happened in the first period, until Rüdiger hit the post with his back (105.+2). However, in the final 15 minutes, Endrick (108.) and Fede Valverde (112.) made up for it, opening the goal wide to the quarterfinals with fantastic long-range shots within four minutes.
When Endrick added a second with a heel (119′), the team’s progression to the next round was assured. Real Madrid’s performance against a passionate Celta Vigo side was only a limited success in terms of making amends. The next chance to do so will be at home to Las Palmas next Sunday (4:15 p.m.).