Entering Sunday’s match against league-leading Real Madrid mired in 18th place, Celta Vigo faced mission impossible at the Santiago Bernabéu — especially so since Real welcomed Eden Hazard back to the starting XI for the first time since Nov. 23.
But this is the wildest of LaLiga seasons with both Real and Barcelona looking mere shadows of their former selves, and it’s become increasingly difficult to label any result registered against the Spanish giants as a “shock.”
Still, after Barça moved level with Real on 52 points following the Blaugrana’s 2-1 victory over Getafe on Saturday, you expected an emphatic response from Los Blancos against Celta.
That wasn’t the case early as Fyodor Smolov silenced the Bernabéu in the seventh minute after ghosting between Dani Carvajal and Raphaël Varane.
STOP THE PRESSES!
It's an early shock for @realmadrid as they are down 1-0 at home to @RCCeltaEN as Fyodor Smolov gets his first goal for his new club! #RealMadridCelta LIVE NOW
beIN SPORTS
CONNECT https://t.co/LRYa03w6yI pic.twitter.com/oWf6jJKVQ8— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) February 16, 2020
Celta maintained that advantage until the 52nd minute, but Karim Benzema, Marcelo and Toni Kroos combined on an excellent goal to pull Real level.
KROOS CONTROL!
It's an equalizer for @realmadrid as @ToniKroos scores inside the first few minutes of the second half with this great strike.#RealMadridCelta LIVE NOW
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CONNECT https://t.co/LRYa03w6yI pic.twitter.com/pl5VwbdVoz— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) February 16, 2020
Things got a little feisty after that. In the 61st minute, Zinedine Zidane went down.
Celta out here trying to injure zidane pic.twitter.com/cR5axlYVmu
— Sami (@SamiZaiiin) February 16, 2020
Then, in the 64th minute, Celta goalkeeper Rubén Blanco gave away one of the dumbest penalties you’ll ever see. Benzema attempted to play Hazard through in the area, but his pass was too heavy and the former Chelsea attacker was going nowhere. Thankfully for Hazard, Blanco rushed out to meet him near the by-line and slapped his feet out from under him.
Sergio Ramos converted the penalty.
A CAPTAIN'S GOAL! @realmadrid complete the comeback as @SergioRamos scores his penalty to make it 2-1 against @RCCelta.#RealMadridCelta LIVE NOW
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CONNECT https://t.co/LRYa03w6yI pic.twitter.com/XiQ8S4ZOdG— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) February 16, 2020
In the 72nd minute, Gareth Bale was lucky to escape with only a yellow card after the most cynical of tactical fouls, but Celta would have its vengeance in the 85th through Santi Mina.
CELTA EQUALIZE!
With a few minutes until full-time, it's Santi Mina that scores the equalizer for @RCCelta to make it 2-2!#RealMadridCelta LIVE NOW
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CONNECT https://t.co/LRYa03w6yI pic.twitter.com/0KYZAJoceC— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) February 16, 2020
Real’s lead at the top of the table is now just a point. They’ll play Levante next Saturday, followed by Manchester City in the Champions League on Feb. 26, but then it’s time for the all-important Clasico on Sunday, Mar. 1.
