Real Madrid's Thrilling Copa del Rey Victory

Real Madrid edged past Celta Vigo in a dramatic Copa del Rey last-16 clash, securing a 5-2 victory after extra time. The match, played at the Santiago Bernabeu on January 16th, 2025, was far from straightforward for Carlo Ancelotti's side. The game, kicking off at 21:30 CET (3:30 PM EST), was broadcast on RTVE and streamed on ESPN+. The victory was secured despite a shaky performance and a late fightback from Celta Vigo.

Ancelotti's Starting XI and Tactical Adjustments

Real Madrid's starting lineup featured Andriy Lunin in goal, Lucas Vazquez, Raul Asencio, and Fran Garcia in defense, Luka Modric, Aurélien Tchouameni, and Dani Ceballos in midfield, and Brahim Diaz, Vinicius, and Kylian Mbappe in attack. This lineup included several notable changes from the team's recent Super Cup final loss to Barcelona. Ancelotti made six changes to the starting lineup, reflecting a need to address defensive vulnerabilities. Andriy Lunin started in goal instead of Thibaut Courtois; Fran Garcia replaced Ferland Mendy at left-back; and Raul Asencio partnered with Toni Rudiger in central defense. The midfield saw Ceballos, Tchouameni, and Modric take the field; While Vinicius Jr. featured on the left wing, Brahim Diaz started on the right. The young Brazilian striker Endrick, who had only recently joined Real Madrid, was left on the bench.

Ancelotti's Post-Match Comments

Ancelotti's post-match comments showed that he was keenly aware of the lack of commitment from his team in the first half of the Spanish Supercup final. His initial statement, "I have one thing to clarify. This is a press conference and not a debate, I do the debate with the coaching staff and my players. Opening a debate here does not seem to me to be the most appropriate place," revealed his disappointment and his wish to keep the internal conflict within the team.

Defensive Concerns and Midfield Changes

The changes to the defense and midfield were particularly noteworthy. Ancelotti sought to solidify the team’s backline after their poor performance against Barcelona. The decision to replace Camavinga, Valverde, and Bellingham in the midfield with Ceballos, Tchouameni, and Modric was aimed at restoring stability and experience to the midfield, and the substitution of Camavinga in the second half seemed to backfire.

A Tense First Half and Controversial Moments

The match began with Real Madrid dominating possession, but they were met with heavy booing from the home crowd due to their recent Spanish Super Cup final loss to Barcelona. The atmosphere was tense, and the game lacked pace and fluidity in the first half. The opening goal came in the 37th minute when Mbappe fired a superb strike past the Celta Vigo goalkeeper. This goal followed a contentious moment where the referee controversially decided against awarding Celta a penalty for a foul by Lunin on Swedberg. This decision ignited further tension in the match.

A Second-Half Surge and a Late Collapse

Real Madrid extended their lead early in the second half. Mbappe, after making a wonderful pass to Brahim Diaz, who set up Vinicius for a simple finish. The second goal demonstrated the effectiveness of Real Madrid’s counter-attacking capabilities. They had numerous opportunities to add to their lead, but several chances were missed by Mbappe and Brahim Diaz. Vinicius also had a good opportunity but was denied by the goalkeeper. However, Celta Vigo refused to surrender and mounted a late comeback, scoring two quick goals and forcing the game into extra time after a series of defensive errors from Real Madrid. Jonathan Bamba and Marcos Alonso scored late to turn the game around, with the latter converting a penalty given away by Asencio.

Endrick's Heroics in Extra Time

Extra time was even more dramatic. The 18-year-old substitute Endrick stepped up to become the game’s hero. He scored two goals in extra time, making an immediate impact with a sharp swivel and shot from the edge of the box to give Madrid the lead. Endrick’s performance was nothing short of inspirational, as he followed up his first goal with a brilliant back-heel flick in the dying minutes. Federico Valverde also contributed a goal with a thunderous strike from distance; this goal proved to be a game-changer. Endrick's performance was crucial in securing the victory, and he celebrated this triumph with a post-match statement to Real Madrid TV: “This is Real Madrid, we fight until the end, until we find the win. We never go down, we always fight.”

A look at the goals:

37th-minute goal by Kylian Mbappé: Mbappé's goal gave Real Madrid a 1-0 lead. His exceptional skill in cutting past his opponent and the finesse of his finish were noteworthy.
50th-minute goal by Vinicius Júnior: Vinicius’s goal doubled Real Madrid's lead in the second half. His composure and clinical strike were crucial.
83rd-minute goal by Jonathan Bamba: Bamba’s goal cut the lead to one goal for Celta Vigo. The assist from Pablo Durán was also a moment to remember.
89th-minute goal by Marcos Alonso: Alonso’s penalty was well taken and tied the game. Asencio’s clumsy challenge led to the penalty, giving Celta Vigo renewed hope.
108th-minute goal by Endrick: Endrick's first goal came in extra time with a sharp shot from outside the box, restoring Real Madrid’s lead.
112th-minute goal by Federico Valverde: Valverde’s thunderous long-range strike was a fantastic display of his power.
119th-minute goal by Endrick: Endrick's spectacular back-heel sealed the victory and highlighted his remarkable talent.

The Road to the Quarterfinals

Real Madrid's win over Celta Vigo booked them a place in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals. They joined Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Getafe, Leganes, Valencia, Osasuna and Real Sociedad in the next stage, where the draw is set to take place on Monday. The match highlights the unpredictability of the cup competitions and showcases the importance of resilience in high-pressure situations. Real Madrid may have started their 2025 season on a low but it appears that the team, despite its inconsistencies, is capable of recovering from setbacks and achieving victory.

Looking Ahead: A Momentous Win

Real Madrid’s victory over Celta Vigo was far from straightforward. The match underscored their defensive fragility and the team’s overall vulnerability. This game was full of controversial decisions and dramatic turns and is sure to be remembered as a memorable game in the Copa del Rey. But Endrick's performance and the team's ultimate triumph provide a springboard for future success and highlights the importance of having depth on the team. The team showed that no matter how the team’s starting XI may be, Real Madrid will always keep fighting for a victory. The comeback victory against a team that seemed to have a hold of the game showcases Real Madrid's mental resilience and the quality within their squad. This game is a promising indication of their potential for future success. The match was a thrilling encounter that showcased the excitement and drama of the cup. Real Madrid's hard-fought victory sets them up for what promises to be a thrilling Copa del Rey quarter-final clash.