Real Madrid kept their La Liga title hopes alive with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Celta de Vigo on Saturday.
The win put pressure on league leaders Barcelona, whose lead at the top of the table was cut to just eight points ahead of Atlético Madrid’s visit to the Camp Nou on Sunday.
Real Madrid’s performance against Celta de Vigo was a relatively calm and assured one, with the team boasting a few lineup changes following their win against Chelsea in the Champions League quarterfinals.
Despite dominating possession throughout, the Merengues were unable to find the target for much of the first half.
However, in the 42nd minute, Dani Ceballos made a brilliant through pass down the left side to Vinícius Jr., who made a single touch into the box before crossing the ball to an incoming Marco Asensio.
Asensio thumped the ball with his left foot past Celta keeper Iván Villar, scoring his 11th goal of the season in all competitions and Vinícius’ 17th assist across all competitions.
Real Madrid kept up the pace after half-time, looking for the two-goal cushion that would allow them to lift their foot off the pedal – and it didn’t take long for them to find it.
In the 48th minute, Asensio took a great corner into the area, where an on-rushing Éder Militão powered a header into the bottom left corner for his fifth league goal of the season.
Real Madrid could have added to their tally, with Vinícius proving a constant danger on the left side with his speed and passing into threatening areas, but they failed to convert several chances.
It wasn’t until the 77th minute that Celta provided any danger to Thibaut Courtois and the Madrid defense, with the Madrid keeper making a magnificent 1-on-1 save from Iago Aspas.
Real Madrid’s win over Celta de Vigo puts them firmly in contention for the La Liga title, with just eight points separating them from league leaders Barcelona.
Real Madrid faces Girona next in La Liga on Tuesday at the Estadi Montilivi, while Barcelona faces a tough test against Atlético Madrid on Sunday.
With just a few games left in the season, the La Liga title race is heating up, and it remains to be seen who will come out on top.