La Liga, Week 18: Real Madrid defeats Celta Vigo with three late goals

Celta Vigo nearly opened the scoring in the 6th minute after a giveaway in the midfield let Charles break free against Diego López. The Madrid goalkeeper made a magnificent save to push the ball wide into the side netting, forcing a corner which Celta wasted.

Jesé Rodriguez, dribbling on the left side of the Celta Vigo box, decided not to shoot and instead threaded a pass to the foot of Karim Benzema who was surrounded by three defenders. The striker managed to get a boot on the ball, sending it past Yoel and inside the far post to give Madrid a 1-0 lead.

Barcelona brought the pressure from the opening whistle and it took just under seven minutes to start the scoring. Jordi Alba’s wonderfully executed low cross from the left wing curled around three Elche defenders and fell right in the path of Alexis Sánchez. The Chilean deftly directed the ball past Toño with just a single touch and Barca were off and running with a 1-0 lead.

Eight minutes later, it was Pedro Rodriguez’s turn to break down the Elche defense, albeit with a little help. Cesc Fàbregas’ through ball allowed Pedro to catch the Elche defense flat-footed as he raced behind them and onto the ball. Toño did his best to close down Pedro’s angle but the winger rounded the keeper and rolled the ball into the net to make it 2-0.

A Barcelona victory would be their 24th in a row at the Camp Nou in league play. The odds seem pretty good considering Elche are just two points off the drop zone, managing only four wins this season.

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