First Division - Day 9

Celta 1 - Real Madrid 3

Celta: Sergio Alvarez; Hugo Mallo, Cabral, Sergi Gómez, Jonny; Daniel Wass (Radoja 67‘), Augusto Fernández, Pablo Hernández (Planas 81‘); Orellana (Guidetti 82‘), Iago Aspas, Nolito. 4-3-3.
Madrid: Keylor Navas; Danilo, Varane, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric (Nacho 80‘); Lucas Vázquez (Isco 62‘), Ronaldo, Jesé (Cheryshev 70‘). 4-3-3.

Goals:
0-1. 08. Ronaldo. Ran on to Lucas Vázquez centre and steered shot inside post.
0-2. 23. Danilo. Controlled Jesé pass on right of area and fired shot past keeper.
1-2. 85. Nolito. Picked up Planas pass and cut in to strike shot in off crossbar.
1-3. 95. Marcelo. Steered shot past Sergio after Cheryshev crossed from right.

Yellow cards: Cabral 37’, 57’, Lucas Vázquez 52’, Augusto Fernández 57’, Pablo Hernández 57’, Iago Aspas 57’, Nolito 61’ / red cards: Cabral 57’.

The big match on Saturday was between joint leaders Celta and Real Madrid, Rafa Benítez’s side running out 1-3 winners in the Balaidos stadium to move clear at the top pending Barcelona’s match on Sunday. The two teams were undefeated this season, but Ronaldo put the visitors ahead in only the eighth minute after running on to a return Lucas Vázquez pass to shoot past Sergio Alvarez. Keylor Navas had to stop Orellana a few minutes later, but midway through the first half Danilo made it two after Jesé put him through. Navas pulled off a couple of top class saves again before the break from Iago Aspas and Pablo Hernández, but soon after the restart Cabral was sent off for a second bookable offence, and Sergio had to be at his best to keep out Ronaldo twice, and then to tip a shot from Isco onto the bar. Marcelo had to clear off the line from Nolito though soon afterwards, and with five minutes to go Nolito finally beat Navas with an impressive shot in off the crossbar. After that Celta pushed forward, but with the game in injury time Cheryshev crossed in for Marcelo to wrap things up.