VIGO, OCT 20 – Goals from Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior enabled Real Madrid to win in style 2-1 at Celta Vigo yesterday and draw level with La Liga leaders Barcelona.
France forward Mbappe started and put the Spanish champions ahead when he was accused of rape during a visit to Sweden.
The 25-year-old was criticized in his homeland for not appearing in his country’s recent National League games before Swedish media reports emerged of his visit during the international break, which Mbappe said was ‘fake news’.
Williot Swedberg equalized for Celta but Vinicius equalized to seal Madrid’s victory after 66 minutes.
Madrid, who have not lost in 42 La Liga matches, will host Barcelona next weekend in the Clasico.
“I’m happy that we won after an international break that wasn’t always easy,” said Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti Real Madrid TV.
“When they equalized, it gave us new energy and it was a very important win. (Mbappe and Vinicius) trained very well, improved their condition and they started today’s game very well and they have to continue that,” he added.
With captain Dani Carvajal sidelined for the next few months, Ancelotti replaced the Spanish right-back with Lucas Vazquez.
The Italian operator used a three-back system, different from his usual four-man defense to deploy Vazquez as a wing-back.
Madrid’s new-look defense gave Celta plenty of breathing room in attack but Madrid also looked dangerous.
Mbappe scored from long range, which floated into the top corner after Fran Beltran missed the ball before Eduardo Camavinga passed to the striker.
It was the forward’s first goal from outside the area for Madrid, his sixth league goal and his eighth in 12 appearances in all competitions since joining from Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
Swedberg equalized for Celta with a fine finish in the 51st minute after good movement from Galicia, with former Barcelona defender Oscar Mingueza curling a low pass for the midfielder to fire home.
Less than three minutes after being brought on, Modric produced a superb low pass for Vinicius, who slotted past Vicente Guaita. – AFP
