Real Madrid lose again as Celta de Vigo take control of Copa del Rey tie
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Updated 18/01/2017 at 22:54 GMT
Copa del Rey, Bernabeu – Real Madrid 1 (Marcelo 69) Celta de Vigo 2 (Aspas 64, Castro 70)
Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the match
Image credit: Reuters
Real Madrid suffered their second defeat in the space of just four days as Iago Aspas inspired Celta Vigo to a sensational 2-1 Copa del Rey win at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Galicians will take two priceless away goals and a narrow lead into next week’s quarter-final second leg, with Zinedine Zidane’s side bizarrely sluggish and lethargic for the first leg, getting no less than they deserved following a substandard performance.
Aspas gave Celta the lead just after the hour mark, finishing a rapid counter attack led by Theo Bongonda with an emphatic finish into Kiko Casilla’s net. But Real Madrid responded soon after when Marcelo finished with a finish on the full volley.
The scoreline was level for just 58 seconds though as Celta Vigo raced up the other end of the pitch and regained the lead, with Jonny Castro slotting a shot under Casilla after an exceptional through ball by Aspas. It was ultimately the goal that settled a slightly surreal contest.
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Cristiano Ronaldo
Image credit: AFP
TALKING POINT - Should Zinedine Zidane be worried?
Having gone nine months and 40 games without losing, Real Madrid have now suffered back-to-back defeats in the space of just four days. This was a strangely low-tempo performance from Zidane’s side. At no point did they show any urgency, even when they were chasing the game with time running out. So should the Real Madrid boss be worried? Or was this simply another blip?
MAN OF THE MATCH - Iago Aspas
The former Liverpool striker has become the man to define this Celta Vigo side, becoming one of the most consistent attackers in the Spanish game. Aspas was a thorn in the side of Real Madrid from the very first whistle to the very last, engaging in a battle with Sergio Ramos and getting the better of the centre-back. A goal and an assist at the Bernabeu, Aspas decided this game almost on his own.
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Celta Vigo's Iago Aspas (C) celebrates his first goal
Image credit: Reuters
PLAYER RATINGS
Real Madrid - Casilla 5, Ramos 5, Varane 6, Danilo 4, Marcelo 7, Kroos 7, Modric 5, Casemiro 5, Vazquez 6, Asensio 6, Ronaldo 5. Subs - Benzema 4, Kovacic 5, Morata 5.
Celta Vigo - Sergio 6, Mallo 6, Cabral 7, Roncaglia 7, Jonny 7, Diaz 6, Radoja 5, Pablo 6, Wass 7, Bongonda8 , Aspas 9. Subs - Guidetti 5, Gomez 5, Sisto 5.
KEY MOMENTS
37’ RONALDO SHOULD HAVE SCORED! Ramos did so well to get to the byline and get a cross into the area, but Ronaldo completely fluffed his finish. Such a poor finish, really.
64’ GOAL! Real Madrid 0-1 Celta Vigo: The away side have looked dangerous on the counter all night long and they have found the opener through it! Wass set up Aspas for the shot and he finished high into the net.
69’ GOAL! Real Madrid 1-1 Celta Vigo: What a strike from Marceloa! Mallo didn't make the best of clearances and the Brazilian made no mistake in lashing home a finish on the full volley.
71’ GOAL! Real Madrid 1-2 Celta Vigo: Can you believe it? Real Madrid were level for a matter of seconds before Celta Vigo took the lead again, with Castro slotting past Casilla after an excellent pass by Aspas.
76’ RAMOS GETS LUCKY! Celta Vigo are adamant that Ramos should have seen a second yellow card for elbowing Aspas, but the referee shakes his head and waves away their claims.
84’ BENZEMA HAS TO SCORE! The ball is spilled by Sergio and falls to the unmarked Benzema six yards out, but he somehow manages to blast his shot over the crossbar. Wow.
KEY STATS
- Real Madrid have never gone through in a Copa del Rey tie after losing the first leg 2-1.
- Iago Aspas has been directly involved in more goals than any other Spanish player this season (20 goals and assists).
- Having gone nine months without losing, Real Madrid have now lost twice in the space of four days.
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