27 April 2015
Real Madrid kept the heat on La Liga leaders Barcelona after they defeated midtable Celta Vigo 4-2 at the Balaidos on Sunday evening.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men, who approached the game on the back of four straight league victories, found themselves 1-0 down early on when Vigo winger Nolito fired in at Iker Casillas’ near post.
The visitors soon rallied, equalising through a Toni Kroos curler on 16 minutes before Javier Hernandez’s low effort made it 2-1 at the midway point of the first period.
Just shy of the half-hour mark, however, the scores were level once more as Santi Mina converted from close range after his initial strike had hit the post.
But it was Los Blancos who went into the break ahead when James Rodriguez’s deflected strike nestled into the back of the net following fine build-up play from Cristiano Ronaldo.
Although, the hosts endeavoured to get back into the encounter during the second half, Hernandez raced clear to slot past shotstopper Sergio Alvarez for his second and Real Madrid’s fourth with around 20 minutes remaining.
Sunday’s result means Juventus’ upcoming Champions League opponents remain second in the domestic standings, two points off high-flying Barcelona with just five matches of the season to play.
And Ancelotti’s men will look to maintain their title charge when they welcome 17th-placed Almeria to the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday evening.
