Real Madrid qualified for the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey after beating Celta 5-2 in an emotionally charged match at the Santiago Bernabéu. In a night that combined their own mistakes, moments of brilliance and a long-suffering comeback, Carlo Ancelotti's team showed that, despite their difficulties, they still have the ability to respond in decisive moments.
The recent blow to their morale after losing the Super Cup final against Barcelona was undoubtedly relevant. However, Madrid has managed to pull through to stay alive in this competition.
Initial Control With Flashes Of Mbappé
From the start, Real Madrid showed greater intensity than in recent matches. With six changes to his lineup from the team that lost to Barcelona in Arabia, Ancelotti sought to adjust his approach. Tchouameni, heavily targeted in previous matches, responded with solidity in midfield, while Mbappé and Vinícius led the offense.
Madrid's early dominance was put to bed thanks to an extraordinary individual move by Mbappé. The French striker picked up the ball in his own half, advanced with speed and technique, outwitting several defenders before scoring to make it 1-0. Shortly after, Vinícius extended the lead after a precise assist from Brahim Díaz, leaving the Bernabéu expectant at what looked like a comfortable victory.
An Unexpected Comeback
At 2-0, Madrid began to relax, and Celta took advantage of the opportunity. Although the Galician side had not generated too much danger up to that point, they never stopped fighting. As the half wore on, Real Madrid made mistakes on the ball, which gave life to the visiting team.
Bamba scored for Celta in the final minutes, cutting the deficit and setting off alarm bells at the Bernabéu. Shortly after, a penalty resulting from a miscalculation by Asensio allowed Marcos Alonso to level the score in stoppage time. The match, which seemed settled, went into extra time, pushing the fans' emotions to the limit.
Response On Extension
In overtime, Real Madrid showed its resilience. Endrick, who had been out of the limelight for weeks, became the unexpected hero. With a powerful shot from outside the box, the young Brazilian scored to make it 3-2 and give his team the lead.
Endrick's goal gave the team confidence, and Valverde increased the lead with a spectacular shot from distance, slotting the ball into the top corner for 4-2. Finally, Endrick sealed his performance with a back-heel in the six-yard box, making it 5-2 and unleashing euphoria at the Bernabéu.
Today Luis comes to show us that it's always a good time to celebrate! 🏟️
Our friend is a board game fanatic and thanks to the years he has been playing with #Betcris, he has reached the Platinum level in the Loyalty Program.
#DareACelebrateToday like Luis! pic.twitter.com/TeJNLZTgQ4
- Betcris (@Betcris) January 15, 2025
Reflections After Victory
Despite the result, the match revealed Real Madrid's inconsistencies. While they showed flashes of quality and a unique ability to overcome adversity, they also made serious mistakes that complicated a match they had under control.
The team will have to work on correcting these deficiencies if it aspires to continue advancing in the Copa del Rey and maintain its level in other competitions.
The performance of young talents like Endrick, along with the leadership of stars like Mbappé and Vinícius, shows that Madrid has the resources to compete at the highest level. However, the key will be to find greater stability and consistency in their play.
With this victory, Real Madrid advances to the quarterfinals and awaits to know its next opponent. In a season full of challenges, nights like this one reinforce the team's reputation as experts in overcoming chaos and turning it into glory.