Celta Vigo 1-2 Real Madrid: La Liga – at it happened

That is it from our live coverage of Real Madrid’s trip to Celta Vigo in La Liga.

Los Blancos come up with a dramatic late winner, which could well play a huge part in the title race in Spain.

It is over to Barcelona on Saturday to respond in their match at Athletic Bilbao.

Do join us for that one if you can, and don’t forget we’ll have live coverage of cricket’s T20 World Cup final on Sunday.

For now, though – from me, Kevin Hand – it’s goodbye.

Celta travel to French-outfit Lyon on Thursday in the first-leg of their UEFA Europa League tie.

Their next La Liga game is at Real Betis next Sunday.

17 - Federico Valverde has been involved in 17 goals this season in all competitions (5 goals, 12 assists), equalling his second-best tally for Real Madrid in a single campaign (17 in 2024/25), behind the 19 he achieved in 2022/23.

Versatile. pic.twitter.com/RUvVeXuCJo

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) March 6, 2026

Madrid’s attention now turns to the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie against Manchester City on Wednesday.

The Madrid players can breath again as they maintain the pressure on Barcelona, but this was not one that had them all in elation at the end – it was a tense and terse affair for Los Blancos. They will need to improve dramatically if they are to finish ahead of Barca.

So much hard work from the home side, but as they applaud their supporters, they all look crestfallen at the defeat. Their UEFA Champions League qualification chances take a serious hit.

After all the frustration, Real have won it at the last. Following two consecutive defeats, that could have been just as costly a draw at Celta.

As it is, the attention now turns to Barcelona at Bilbao on Saturday to see if they can restore their four-point lead.

That is it! There was barely time of the restart. Real Madrid have the win in the most dramatic fashion.

The ball was won back cleanly in the box and a deflected effort from just outside the box by Valverde, which wrong footed the keeper, stands.

90+5 mins: Celta Vigo 1-2 Real Madrid

There is a VAR review for a foul. Hold your breath, everyone. Well, maybe don’t as we know how long VAR can take.

90+4 mins: Celta Vigo 1-2 Real Madrid

El-Abdellaoui nearly breaks through but Real just get a late tackle in to deny a clear one-on-one.

90+3 mins: Celta Vigo 1-1 Real Madrid

No, that is not my typo, but that of the officials. It is relatively quickly corrected to five minutes of added time.

90 +1 mins: Celta Vigo 1-1 Real Madrid

Manuel Angel comes on for Thiago. Can the fresh legs provide inspiration?

90 mins: Celta Vigo 1-1 Real Madrid

So, so close to a massive moment in the La Liga season. Aspas receives the ball in the box and shifts his body to make room for a low drive that comes back off the inside of the post.

Heart-stopping moments in Madrid and in Barcelona.

87 mins: Celta Vigo 1-1 Real Madrid

Tchouameni concedes a free kick on the edge of the Celta box after Real’s latest attempt to intricately pass their way through the extensive defensive line of the home side. Is there any way that Real can mix this up at this stage?

86 mins: Celta Vigo 1-1 Real Madrid

The sub is put through and breaks from the halfway line. His pace is impressive, but he can’t catch up with the ball, and the keeper comes out of the area to boot clear in the nick of time.

Mingueza is replaced by Aspas for Celta.

83 mins: Celta Vigo 1-1 Real Madrid

The ball is bent over everyone, but there was a push on the keeper anyway. Time is running out for Real to find their mojo here. It has been ominously absent all evening.

80 mins: Celta Vigo 1-1 Real Madrid

Brahim’s evening is done. Gonzalo comes on.

Real have a corner on the right in the meantime, but it comes to nothing as a header from a deep position flies a long way off target.

Real continue to apply pressure, but Celta twice threaten to break. Real shut off the danger, but the chance is there for the game to open up.

76 mins: Celta Vigo 1-1 Real Madrid

Palacios pushes a Celta player ahead of Jutgla, who also got the slightest of pushes, handling the ball.

The first foul is called regardless of the push on Jutgla and the ref decides there is no need to award a penalty.

Tense moment for a player already sat on the bench.

73 mins: Celta Vigo 1-1 Real Madrid