Penalty by penalty Madrid, closer to the title in Balaídos
The white team beat (1-2) a Celta who fought against him and ended up frustrated with the referee
MADRID, 2 Apr. (SportsFinding) –
Real Madrid added three more points to the top of the table to move closer to the title after matchday 30 of LaLiga Santander, with a controversial victory (1-2) in Balaídos, against RC Celta who stood up but gave in with three penalties against.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team, absent due to his positive for COVID, won just enough, but took a demanding victory to remove the leaves of the daisy in their countdown to be champion. The whites now have 69 points and force Sevilla (57), Barça (54) and Atlético (54) to win, with one game remaining without fail.
Madrid, who on Wednesday will play in London against Chelsea in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals, knew how to suffer against Celta who never gave up. ‘Chacho’ Coudet’s team knew how to play a Madrid without the best version of him, without finding Vinicius or Modric and surviving based on penalties and with Courtois.
The Belgian goalkeeper saved two clears in the first half, one from Denis Suárez and another, from a direct free kick, from Aspas. The one from Moaña gave resources to his team, while Benzema, who was returning after missing the Clásico with bad memories (0-4), finished off the net from the side. Vinicius also appeared and then the first penalty came.
Nolito was like a bull and caught Militao at the moment of hitting the ball. González Fuertes did not hesitate and Benzema converted the maximum penalty. Aspas later had that foul with a lot of intention and Celta ended up seeing the door in a Galhardo header, but Aspas’ own forward position ended up canceling the goal in the VAR.
Madrid came back somewhat better after the break, finding Modric more, but Nolito, who had not scored for five months, served up the emotion for the second half with the 1-1. Javi Galán began to put crosses and Celta found a vein that could give more than the draw. Aspas also had her in a poison center.
More penalties then came in Dituro’s area. The first, on Rodrygo de Murillo, who stopped Benzema from the local goal. The second, third of the afternoon, by Kevin over Mendy, the most doubtful, which the French striker himself made 1-2.
Celta tried it, although they were already emotionally affected and with a well-retracted Madrid, which gave Modric and Kroos some rest, so as not to suffer despite the celestial harassment. The Ancelotti save a day marked to be champions and Coudet remain in the middle of the table that neither motivates nor leaves room for relaxation.
DATASHEET.
–RESULT: RC CELTA, 1 – REAL MADRID, 2. (0-1, at half-time).
–ALIGNMENTS.
RC CELTA: Dituro; Kevin, Aidoo, Murillo, Javi Galán; Fran Beltrán (Santi Mina, min.72); Brais Méndez (Pineda, min.81), Denis, Nolito (Renato, min.72); Aspas and Galhardo (Cervi, min.60).
REAL MADRID: Courtois; Lucas (Carvajal, min. 61), Militao (Nacho, min. 85), Alaba, Mendy; Modric (Valverde, min.74), Casemiro, Kroos (Ceballos, min.85); Asensio (Rodrygo, min.61), Vinicius and Benzema.
–GOALS:
0 – 1, min.19, Benzema (penalty).
1 – 1, min.52, Nolito.
1 – 2, min.70, Benzema.
–REFEREE: González Fuertes (C.Asturiano). He admonished Galán (min36), Galhardo (min.40) and Murillo (min.57) by Celta.
–STADIUM: Balaídos.