Real Madrid suffered a brutal 2–0 home defeat to Celta Vigo on Sunday, finishing with just nine players as their La Liga title bid took a major hit at the Bernabeu.
Williot Swedberg was the star of the night, scoring twice in the second half to hand Celta a famous win and leave Madrid four points behind league leaders Barcelona.
On a night where almost everything went wrong, Los Blancos also lost Eder Militao to injury, adding to the concerns ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League showdown with Manchester City.
It was Madrid’s first home game after six straight away fixtures, but the return home offered no comfort.
Alonso didn’t hide his frustration.
“We have to turn the page quickly,” Alonso urged. “It’s only three points. We have City ahead: the best
possible game to react and erase this bad taste.”
A Spiral Madrid Couldn’t Escape
With the looming clash against City, Alonso rested Antonio Rudiger, only to be forced into an early rethink when Militao pulled up injured. The German was summoned back into action midway through the first half.
Madrid carved out half-chances — Jude Bellingham’s header, Arda Guler’s drive, a couple of Vinícius breaks — but Celta goalkeeper Ionut Radu refused to budge, standing tall behind a disciplined low block that frustrated Kylian Mbappe and Vini at every turn.
Celta eventually struck first. Bryan Zaragoza whipped in a cross, and Swedberg delivered a brilliant flick past Thibaut Courtois — a moment of finesse that stunned the Bernabeu.
Then came the collapse.
Fran Garcia received two yellow cards within a single minute, leaving Madrid down to 10 men. Moments later, Bellingham took a blow to the face and played on with blood trickling down his cheek, symbolizing the chaos of Madrid’s night.
Even with desperation building, chances went begging — Mbappe lifted a lob onto the roof of the net and substitute Gonzalo Garcia headed narrowly wide.
Stoppage time brought further humiliation as Alvaro Carreras was sent off for dissent, leaving Madrid with nine players. With the defense shredded, Swedberg rounded Courtois to slide home his second and seal Celta’s win.
Xabi Alonso’s side have now won just one of their last five league matches.
With the City clash looming, injuries piling up, and form evaporating, Madrid’s season hangs in the balance.
(with AFP inputs)
