A Breakthrough Moment for Endrick
Real Madrid fans witnessed the emergence of Endrick as he delivered his first standout performance for Los Blancos. The young forward scored an extra-time winner and sealed the match with a second goal, ensuring Carlo Ancelotti’s side avoided a cup upset.
First Half: Mbappe Breaks the Deadlock
After a lackluster opening 30 minutes, Real Madrid came alive with Brahim Diaz spearheading the attack. The French star Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring in the 37th minute with a stunning solo effort, giving Madrid a 1-0 lead.
Second Half: Vinicius Doubles the Advantage
Madrid’s counter-attacking prowess was on display early in the second half. Mbappe set up Brahim Diaz, who slid a pass to Vinicius Jr. for a composed finish. Although Mbappe came close to adding more, Los Blancos were denied a third after a narrowly offside goal by Arda Guler.
Celta Vigo’s Late Comeback
An error by Eduardo Camavinga allowed Celta Vigo back into the game. Jonathan Bamba capitalized on the mistake, and Marcos Alonso leveled the score in stoppage time with a penalty.
Extra Time: Endrick and Valverde Deliver
In extra time, Endrick pivoted and smashed the ball home to restore Madrid’s lead. Federico Valverde added a spectacular long-range goal, and Endrick’s audacious backheel finish sealed a hard-fought victory.
Player Ratings: Real Madrid vs. Celta Vigo
Goalkeeper & Defense
- Andriy Lunin (5/10): Escaped conceding a penalty early but made some crucial saves later. Beaten on a penalty.
- Lucas Vazquez (7/10): Reliable in possession and solid in build-up play.
- Raul Asencio (6/10): Strong defensively but conceded a late penalty with a careless foul.
- Antonio Rudiger (6/10): Mixed performance, solid in duels but shaky on the ball.
- Fran Garcia (7/10): Worked tirelessly and defended well throughout.
Midfield
- Aurelien Tchouameni (6/10): Improved as a holding midfielder but lacked progression in attack.
- Dani Ceballos (7/10): Provided an assist and played with composure before being subbed off.
- Luka Modric (7/10): Timeless brilliance, creating chances and dictating play.
Attack
- Brahim Diaz (7/10): Energetic and effective, assisting Vinicius’ goal.
- Kylian Mbappe (7/10): Scored a fine opener and was a constant threat despite missing additional chances.
- Vinicius Jr. (7/10): Cool finish for Madrid’s second but missed further opportunities.
Substitutes & Manager
- Arda Guler (7/10): Thought he scored a third but ruled offside. Lively cameo.
- Eduardo Camavinga (4/10): Costly error leading to Celta’s equalizer.
- Federico Valverde (7/10): Stunning goal in extra time to secure the win.
- Endrick (8/10): A game-changing performance with two vital goals.
- Rodrygo (N/A): Limited impact in late extra time.
- Carlo Ancelotti (6/10): Tactical adjustments secured the win but will be frustrated by the defensive lapses.
What’s Next for Real Madrid?
Real Madrid will look to build on this dramatic win as they face Las Palmas in La Liga on January 19, 2025, at 20:15. Meanwhile, Celta Vigo will aim to bounce back against Athletic Club earlier the same day.
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