Late Maxi Gomez header denies Real Madrid
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Updated 07/01/2018 at 22:15 GMT
La Liga, Estadio Balaídos - Celta Vigo 2 (Wass 33', Gomez 82') Real Madrid 2 (Bale 36' 38')
Celta Vigo’s Daniel Wass celebrates scoring their first goal with Maxi Gomez
Image credit: Getty Images
A late header from Maxi Gomez denied Real Madrid victory as Celta Vigo snatched a 2-2 draw following a first half brace from Gareth Bale.
Zinedine Zidane’s side had been looking to close the gap on Barcelona at the top of La Liga to 14 points after the Catalans’ comfortable win over Levante earlier in the day. They started slowly, conceding an opener to Daniel Wass, but found themselves ahead at the break after a quick fire double from Gareth Bale.
That wasn’t enough to give Real the three points though, with the hosts taking the initiative in the second half. Iago Aspas was awarded a penalty kick for being brought down by Keylor Navas, but had his effort from 12 yards saved by the Costa Rican.
Celta weren’t kept out for long, though, as Gomez powered home a header from close range following some excellent work from Wass out wide. Lucas Vazquez could have snatched three points for Real late on, but they were made to rue another dropped two points.
TALKING POINT
This is a Real Madrid side in a transitional season. The return of Bale gave Real Madrid a different dimension in the final third, and that was nearly enough to give the champions three points to keep them within 14 points of Barcelona. But it wasn’t and the dismal performances of Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo and Toni Kroos were exposed. This is a Real Madrid team stuck between its past and its future.
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Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale (L) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match Celta de Vigo vs Real Madrid at the Balaidos stadium in Vigo on January 7, 2018
Image credit: Getty Images
MAN OF THE MATCH
Daniel Wass (Celta Vigo) He opened the scoring with an audacious chip over Navas and he put the second goal on a plate for Gomez to head home. Wass, along with Hugo Mallo and Aspas, was the standout performer for Celta Vigo, giving Real Madrid all sorts of problems in defence. Wass is known for his work rate, but this evening he also showed the quality that he possesses.
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Celta Vigo's Danish midfielder Daniel Wass celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match Celta de Vigo vs Real Madrid at the Balaidos stadium in Vigo on January 7, 2018
Image credit: Getty Images
PLAYER RATINGS
Celta Vigo - Ruben 7, Mallo 8, Roncaglia 6, Cabral 6, Jonny 5, Radoja 5, Wass 8, Hdez 6, Aspas 8, Gomez 7, Sisto 7. Subs - Lubotka 5, Mor 5, Jozabed 4.
Real Madrid - Navas 6, Varane 5, Nacho 7, Ronaldo 5, Kroos 5, Modric 6, Bale 8, Marcelo 4, Casemiro 7, Achraf 5, Isco 6. Subs - Vazquez 5, Asensio 4, Kovacic 4.
KEY MOMENTS
14’ OFF THE POST! Inches away from an opener for Celta Vigo. Mallo gets a cross to the near post, where Aspas was on hand to turn a side-foot volley towards goal. He rattles the woodwork, though.
33’ GOAL! Celta Vigo 1-0 Real Madrid: What a cute finish! Celta Vigo have taken a deserved lead! Wass is freed in behind the Real Madrid defence, which was posted missing, and he scoops a wonderful chip over Navas and into the net.
35’ GOAL! Celta Vigo 1-1 Real Madrid: Real Madrid have hit back within minutes! Kroos threads a pass in behind for Bale to chase and the Welsh winger gets there before the keeper to slide a finish into the empty net. What pace!
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Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match Celta de Vigo vs Real Madrid at the Balaidos stadium in Vigo on January 7, 2018.
Image credit: Getty Images
39’ GOAL! Celta Vigo 1-2 Real Madrid: Another one for Bale! A quickfire double for the Welsh winger. The pass from Isco was perfect and Bale flicked a wonderful finish past Ruben. What vision from the Real Madrid number 11!
70’ PENALTY KICK TO CELTA VIGO! Navas brings down Aspas and the referee points to the spot.
72’ PENALTY KICK SAVED! Navas denies Aspas from the spot, diving to his left to make the save. The Costa Rican has redeemed himself after giving away the penalty kick in the first instance.
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Real Madrid’s Keylor Navas saves a penelty from Celta Vigo’s Iago Aspas
Image credit: Reuters
82’ GOAL! Celta Vigo 2-2 Real Madrid: The equaliser! Celta Vigo have clawed themselves level! Wass picks out Gomez, who is unmarked in the middle and makes no mistake in powering home a header. Where were the centre backs?
91’ VAZQUEZ HAS TO SCORE! Where were the Celta Vigo defenders? Casemiro picks out Vazquez inside the box, who had acres of space, but his shot was straight at the goalkeeper.
KEY STATS
Maxi Gomez is the only player to score both against Real Madrid and Barcelona in La Liga this season.
Gareth Bale has been directly involved in 11 goals in his last 13 games for Real Madrid in all competitions.
Isco has made six assists this season in all competitions, more than any other Real Madrid player.
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