Celta Vigo 1 – 4 Real Madrid – One down, one to go

Real Madrid defeated Celta Vigo 4-1 at the Balaidos. Now Madrid just need one point from their last remaining match against  Malaga to secure the La Liga title. Like many of Madrid’s matches, it wasn’t pretty, and the men in white failed to stay in control for the entire 90 minutes. But nevertheless, they got across the finish line with three points and four goals.

The way this match unfolded didn’t help debunk the “Lucky Zidane” narrative. Raphael Varane is lucky to not have received a yellow card and a penalty or free kick for his really obvious handball near the edge of Madrid’s box.

Celta striker Iago Aspaswas extremely unlucky to get sent off on his second yellow for simulation. That play was probably a nailed on penalty against Sergio Ramos, but instead went the other way.

Not having Aspas really changed the dynamic of this match. While Cetla were scrappy to pull a goal back from the man-down position after a shocker of an Isco error, their ability to stave of wave after wave of Madrid attack was hampered severely by being a man down. Also, their prospects of pulling out of any further deficit from Madrid without their team’s best striker was slim to none.

Nevertheless, Real Madrid did give a good account of themselves the last 30 minutes or so of the match. Zidane’s Madrid is a bit like a boxer who’s at their best only after they get punched in the face. Once Celta scored, Madrid kicked it into overdrive.

Madrid are so good in the last 20 minutes of a match that their xGplots usually look like a topography map leading up to a mountain, and the match against Celta was no different:

Cristiano Ronaldo was the outstanding performer, bagging a brace and nearly securing a hat-trick. Unfortunately, he wasted a wide-open opportunity that prevented him from grabbing his third. But that shouldn’t stand in the way of recognizing a clear man of the match game from the Dark Invader. CR7’S connection with Isco this match was downright uncanny, as Isco assisted Ronaldo for both of his goals.

Shout out to Karim Benzema, who has been crucial for Madrid in the home stretch of this season. Benzema has had a real up-and-down season for Madrid. While many would like to see him gone to allow room for Alvaro Morata to shine, with performances like this and the heroics he pulled off against Atleti, he’s certainly given Zidane something else to consider.

Toni Kroos and Luka Modric both had another strong match. Modric’s pass to set up Isco for the first goal was simply sublime. After putting in some average performances in the middle of the season, Modric is proving himself to still be an elite level player who can lead Madrid for a few more years.

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Together, Kroos and Modric are one of the strongest midfield partnerships in the world. And, having Casemiro on the pitch allows them the freedom to push up the pitch and show off their myriad attacking skills that often get suppressed when they are required to do more defensive work.

It wasn’t pretty, and it will certainly be controversial, but none of that matters now. Madrid is one point away from securing the La Liga title. By winning against Celta, Madrid gave themselves the cushion of being able to afford a draw against Malaga.

But Zidane isn’t going to go after a draw. This Madrid side doesn’t know how to fight for a draw, as evident by the last minute collapse against Barcelona. The win against Celta was huge, but Madrid is going to go all out on the last day to defeat Malaga, and claim the La Liga title.