Por Joe Rusling 
Real Madrid overcame Celta Vigo 5-2 after extra time despite a late scare, squandering a late 2-goal lead in a Copa del Rey Round of 16 clash, as football returned to the Santiago Bernebéu for the first time in 2025.
After another humiliation suffered by fierce rivals F.C. Barcelona, Real Madrid were back on home soil with a point to prove, not for the first time this season. Celta Vigo returned to the capital for the second time in a week after a defeat against Rayo Vallecano last Friday, but progressed to the Round 16 after a late comeback helped defeat 10 man, Segunda División high-flyers, Racing Santander. Los Blancos weren’t largely tested in their Last 32 affair, dispatching fourth division Deportiva Minera 5-0 in Cartagena.
Madridistas were left to rue the Copa del Rey in 2024 as the missing trophy of the yearly catalogue. Consequently, it holds significant importance for the club this season and is one Ancelotti wants to win. It is also somewhat of a bogey competition for Los Blancos, only winning it once in the last ten years, in 2023. Three-time finalists, Celta Vigo however, have never won the competition.
Los Celestes were without legendary club captain Iago Aspas and winger Alfon Gonzalez through injury, whilst Ancelotti was without any new worries. Both teams made 5 changes, with a strong Madrid lineup starring Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe.
Celta Vigo started the most positively of the two teams, putting Real Madrid under early pressure and hitting the bar from an early corner. Being on the back foot in the first encounters has become a regularity for Los Blancos this season, but equally has been their ability to grow into games, as they did last night. Aurelién Tchouaméni, whose form has been the subject of criticism from fans and the media, looked nervy in the early exchanges, but let fly from 25 yards, forcing a good save from Ivan Villar at the midway point of the first half.
Celta Vigo continued to look dangerous on the counterattack before the 37th minute, where the game sparked into life. Winger Wilmot Svedberg attempted to round Andrey Lunin before the Ukranian appeared to bring the Swedishman down. Referee, José Munuera, waived away the Celta Vigo appeals, as one pass later Mbappe picked the ball up just inside his own half as he ran half the length of the pitch, beating Javi Rodriguez for pace, and precisely finishing on his weaker foot. An excellent goal from the Frenchman which reflected his recent form.
Real Madrid started the second half perfectly as Brahim slid through Vinicius Jr. on 48 minutes to score in trademark fashion from the inside left of the box. The second half bought chances for both sides. Mbappe headed just over after great work from Brahim on the right-hand side to cross in. Aurelién Tchouaméni also silenced his Bernebéu jeers with an exceptional goal-saving interception leading to a chance down the other end of the pitch. Same combo, Brahim to Vini, this time the Brazilians’ attempted chip was cleared off the line.
Substitute Hugo Sotelo’s long-range effort forced an impressive save from Lunin, while Real Madrid were denied again, this time by VAR, as Vinicius Jr. was adjudged to be offside before he squared the ball to Arda Güler to make it 3.
Then came the drama. Celta Vigo took advantage of Edouardo Camavinga’s sloppiness in his own half and Chicago Fire-bound Jonathan Bamba gave the Galicians a foothold back into the game on 83 minutes. The last exchanges held similarities to those in the first 15 minutes of the game, a high Celta Vigo press causing some worry for Madrid. The pressure paid off as Asencio bought down Bamba in the box, this time José Munuera had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Former Madrid youth, and one-time appearance maker for the club, Marcos Alonso stepped up and cooly converted into the bottom corner.
The atmosphere around the ground was tense during the first half of extra time but substitutes Fede Valverde and Endrick looked bright. The Uruguayan excellently drove the ball up the pitch before picking out the young Brazilian, who snatched at his chance. After the break, Madrid turned on the style as Endrick released some pressure with a brilliant strike across goal from just outside the box in the 108th minute. 4 minutes later, Fede Valverde then let rip of a thunderbolt on the half volley from 25 yards out to all but secure passage to the quarter-finals for Los Blancos. Endrick then finished the job with some excellent skill, backheeling the ball through the legs of goalkeeper Villar into the back of the net.
Five great goals for Real Madrid, and job done (in the end) in the first of three games in the space of 7 days at the Bernebéu, where they will hope to achieve three victories to kickstart 2025 after the disappointment in Jeddah.