real madrid 0 – 2 celta: Celta ignites the Bernabéu and beats a Madrid who finished with nine

It was another tough Madrid game to chew on and savor, with some very bad news making the end of the year worse. And surely at the beginning of 2026. The list of injuries against Celta has increased to six, all defenders. Militao went down and midway through the first half he broke to avoid a one-on-one match from Durán. A useless sprint, if the assistant had raised the flag, but modern football forces defenders to make runs that add to the odometer in exchange for putting their health at risk.

The Brazilian left without being able to support his left leg, helped by two physiotherapists. Alarming defeat to City, but it looks like he won’t even be able to be there for the Super Cup in a month’s time. I hope Huijsen recovers, on Wednesday Haaland will have to be defended by Rudiger who has just come out of two months off, and Asencio. Double mortal with a corkscrew.

It was a sparkling first half from Madrid, generating three chances. A header from Bellingham from a corner taken by Arda, with a save from Radu. Another from the Turk, who sent off when he was alone to finish from the edge of the small area, and a last one from Vinicius, already in extra time, who also had a great response from the Romanian goalkeeper.

Individual actions in a collective game with little movement without the ball against a Celta who, without putting their ass in their area, knew how to support a Madrid incapable of subduing the Galicians. Those from Giráldez got along well, but not only that. He emerged brilliantly from Madrid’s pressure, which was not intended to be put into coaching training, and generated dangerous finishes. The biggest, from Durán in the 41st minute, to force Courtois to achieve his Sunday miracle.

Celta did not come to draw 0-0 at the Bernabéu, but neither did they spoil this other football of scratching seconds or minutes, in that little foul that they whistled at you here or in that goal kick that Radu pushed to the limit, knowing that the eight seconds of the referees are another milonga of this football today which still has some absurdities and which lacks precisely that, football.

Courtois declaims

Celta’s warnings came true in the 54th minute. A play from Byran on the left wing resulted in a backheel from Williot to beat Courtois, who was taken away by demons. The Belgian’s anger towards his teammates, for having defended like in the playground. And notice the fans in the stands, chanting for their team and throwing eggs at them.

Fran took it literally, but with less head than a newborn. In less than sixty seconds, two yellow cards to leave Madrid with one less for the last 25 minutes. The first card, grabbing it to avoid a counter. The second, for having placed his studs behind Borja on an unnecessary kick in the center of the field, while Iglesias had his back to goal. Xabi couldn’t believe it.

The Bernabéu then won with Quintero González, who was least responsible for Fran’s recklessness, who plays little and does his best to make it seem too much. Exactly what Madrid transmitted to San Mamés. Haze.

With one less he gained self-esteem, but it was too late. He had a heart, like the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz, but he had nothing else. I forgive Mbappé, in 74, a Vaseline, and that’s all. Carreras saw another double yellow in the 90th, in just ten seconds and Williot was sin-binned a minute later. Xabi’s Madrid strikes again.