Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of the La Liga clash between Celta Vigo and Real Madrid from the Balaidos.
Celta Vigo have collected 21 points from their 17 league matches this season to occupy 14th position at the start of 2018.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, are now an incredible 17 points behind league leaders Barcelona, although Los Blancos do have two games in hand on their rivals.
Stay tuned for live minute-by-minute updates of the action.
6.46pmEvening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Balaidos as Celta Vigo welcome Real Madrid. It is a must-win match for Real Madrid if they are to have any chance of clawing back some ground on league leaders Barcelona, but Celta have had some recent joy against the Spanish champions. Stay tuned for live minute-by-minute updates of the action!
6.49pmReal Madrid have only won one of their last three meetings with Celta Vigo. That said, the Spanish champions did record a 4-1 win in their last match-up in May 2017. The pair also met twice in the Copa del Rey last season, and Celta won 2-1 at the Bernabeu before drawing 2-2 at home. It might well be a tricky night for Zinedine Zidane's side, who really need all three points.
6.52pmRight, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Balaidos. Both teams were in Copa del Rey action on Thursday night – Celta Vigo facing Barcelona, and Real Madrid away to Numancia. Any changes? Let's run through the two XIs for this match...
6.55pmTEAMS!
CELTA: Ruben; Mallo, Roncaglia, Cabral, Jonny; Radoja, Wass, Hernandez; Aspas, Gomez, Sisto
REAL: Navas; Achraf, Nacho, Varane, Marcelo; Casemiro, Kroos, Modric; Isco, Ronaldo, Bale
6.58pmIago Aspas is joined in the final third by Pione Sisto and Maxi Gomez for Celta tonight as head coach Unzue selects an attacking XI. Sisto's spot in the team comes off the back of the attacker scoring against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey on Thursday night. Hugo Mallo and Daniel Wass also keep their spots, while Pablo Hernandez and Nemanja Radoja come back into the midfield.
© SilverHub
7.02pmAs for Real Madrid, the absence of Karim Benzema through injury means that Cristiano Ronaldo will start central for the visitors, while Nacho and Achraf Hakimi are given starts at the back due to the absences of Sergio Ramos and Dani Carvajal through injury and suspension respectively. Gareth Bale also starts for Real Madrid as the Spanish champions look to claw back some ground on Barcelona.
7.05pmSo there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in Vigo. I shall speak about the home side a little bit later, but let's start with Real Madrid. Barcelona's 3-0 victory over Levante this afternoon means that fourth-placed Real Madrid are 17 points off the top of the table, which is quite staggering at this stage of the campaign.
7.08pm
🙌🏟 #RMLiga
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) January 7, 2018
¡Ya estamos en el escenario donde nos enfrentaremos al @RCCelta! #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/eijpK5MSwQ
7.12pmIt must be said that Real Madrid do have two games in hand over Barcelona – starting tonight – but they lost 3-0 at home to the Catalan giants in El Clasico immediately before the international break. That defeat would have hurt the reigning champions, and it does appear that they are in a battle with Atletico Madrid and Valencia to secure a runners-up spot in the league this season.
7.15pmReal Madrid have only won nine of their 16 league matches this term, drawing four and suffering three defeats. They have also only scored 30 times, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema both having their problems. Los Blancos might be the reigning Spanish, European and world champions, but they have struggled to find their best form in the early months of this season.
7.18pmIn terms of what is ahead for Zidane's side; they will host Numancia in the second leg of their Copa del Rey clash on Wednesday night, before welcoming Villarreal to the Bernabeu in the league next weekend. They will also visit a strong Valencia side in the top flight before the end of this month.
7.22pm
3 - Real Madrid have failed to win in their last three away league games (D2 L1), after winning each of their previous 13. The last time they failed to win in four away La Liga games was in 2008 (D1 L3). Pressure. pic.twitter.com/0o66f3cHnE
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 7, 2018
7.25pmThe Champions League also resumes next month, and Real Madrid have the small matter of a two-legged last-16 tie with Paris Saint-Germain to think about. Alarm bells would ring if Los Blancos exited the European Cup at that stage, and also fell further behind Barcelona in the league.
7.28pmCelta, meanwhile, have had a disappointing campaign thus far. A total of 21 points from 17 matches has left them down in 14th position, and they have already lost eight league fixtures this season, which is not good enough for a team of their ilk. Tonight's hosts are better than what they have shown.
7.32pmJuan Carlos Unzue's team recorded a 3-1 win away to Deportivo La Coruna before the international break, but they have only been victorious in one of their last four in the league. That said, they managed to pick up a 2-2 draw at Barcelona on December 2, and lost narrowly at Valencia one week later.
7.35pm
💙 ¡11 confirmado! ¡Hala Celta! #CeltaRealMadrid #LaLiga pic.twitter.com/QdQ33MjnMr
— RC Celta (@RCCelta) January 7, 2018
7.38pmCelta have been pretty good on home soil this season – winning three of their last four in the league. They suffered a 1-0 defeat to Villarreal in their last league game at the Balaidos on December 17 though, and that was also the score when Atletico Madrid visited this stadium in October.
7.42pmHere we go then. Both sets of players are in the tunnel ahead of kickoff here. Can Real Madrid return to winning ways in La Liga, or will Celta pile more misery on Los Blancos? Stay tuned!
0 minKICKOFF! Real Madrid kick things off in Vigo...
2 min... there is a terrific atmosphere inside the stadium tonight, and the Celta fans will have their eye on an upset here. Real Madrid, however, will be absolutely desperate to return to winning ways!
3 minHalf-chance for the away side early on as Isco delivers towards Bale, but the Welshman cannot make contact under pressure from Cabral. Decent start from the away side here.
5 minBlanco is down to keep out a strike from Ronaldo as Real Madrid continue to threaten. Celta look wide open at the back, and it would not be a surprise to see an early goal for the visitors here.
7 minBrave goalkeeping from Blanco prevents Bale from potentially sending Real Madrid ahead after the Welshman had muscled Cabral off the ball. The visitors are the team on the front foot at the moment.
9 minThe pitch has been heavily watered, and Real Madrid are absolutely loving it at the moment as they continue to zip the ball across the turf. Celta have had their moments in the opening nine minutes, but Aspas passed up their best chance moments ago - failing to deliver from a dangerous area.
11 minHalf-chance for Real Madrid once again as Marcelo finds space outside the home side's box, but the left-back's effort was always rising over the crossbar. Still goalless with 11 on the clock here.
13 minPOST! Celta come close to taking the lead as Aspas meets a super cross from Mallo, but the Spain international hits the post from close range. Just had to score!
15 minIt is a very open game of football here. Real Madrid break down the other end through Modric, who finds Isco, but the Spaniard's cross is too deep for Bale. Still goalless with 15 on the clock here.
16 minRonaldo looks to nod home from close range after meeting a header from Varane, but the offside flag is raised. Celta then break down the other end, but Gomez cannot keep the ball.
18 minBale meets a deep, deep cross from Marcelo, but the Welshman can only head behind. Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last few minutes. Aspas has come the closest here.
21 minBale turns Jonny inside out before delivering a low cross into the home side's box, but Cabral is on hand to make the clearance. Ronaldo & Co. have not had too much change out of Celta's two centre-backs in the first 21 minutes of this match. The hosts have been pretty comfortable.
23 minNot too much to report in terms of attacking football in the last few minutes. Neither side has really grabbed control of this match as Real Madrid win another corner down the left.
25 minIsco whistles one well wide of the Celta post from distance.
25 minCHANCE! Gomez finds Wass with a clever pass just outside the Real Madrid box, but the midfielder makes a mess of it - passing it wide of the post. What a chance for the hosts.
27 minThe two best chances of this football match have fallen to the home side. Will they be made to regret the missed opportunities? Real Madrid do not look secure at the back tonight it must be said.
27 minSAVE! Blanco does well to keep out a long-range strike from Casemiro!
30 minJonny finds Sisto with a clever pass inside the Real Madrid box, but the number 11 cannot move clear of Varane, who is one of the quickest centre-backs in the league. The visitors then break through Bale and eventually Ronaldo, but the attacker's cross is cleared at the far post.
32 minReal Madrid are doing their best to force the issue, but Celta have been pretty comfortable in the first 32 minutes of this match. Bale has been the brightest player for the champions tonight.
33 minGOAL! Celta 1-0 Real Madrid (Wass)
34 minOh my word! Celta take the lead in the 33rd minute of this match as Wass collects a super pass from Aspas before chipping Navas. The Dane was in all sorts of space down the right, and had time to lift the ball over the Costa Rica international. Where on earth was Marcelo in that move?!
36 minGOAL! Celta 1-1 Real Madrid (Bale)
37 minThat did not last long! Real Madrid level the scores through Bale as the Welshman races onto a through pass from Kroos before finding the bottom corner with a super finish. All square.
38 minHardly time to take a breath at the moment as both teams continue to commit players in the final third of the field. Aspas feeds Hernandez inside the Real Madrid box, but just runs out of room.
38 minGOAL! Celta 1-2 Real Madrid (Bale)
39 minIt is raining goals! Isco plays a wonderful pass into Bale, who prods the ball into the bottom corner on the half-turn! Real Madrid have turned this match around to lead 2-1 in Vigo.
42 minI would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals in this match as both teams continue to force the issue in the final third. It has been a brilliant first half of football at the Balaidos.
44 minAspas stands over a free kick in an advanced area, but the Spain international's delivery is cleared by Kroos. Real Madrid then break through Marcelo, but Mallo is on the cover to mop up.
44 minBOOKING! Casemiro (Real Madrid) is booked for a foul on Mallo.
45 min+1Wass delivers a free kick into the Real Madrid box; it almost falls for Aspas inside the box, but the ball ends up in the arms of Navas. That should be that for the first half of football here.
45 min+1HALF-TIME: Celta 1-2 Real Madrid
8.31pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading Celta 2-1 courtesy of a double from Gareth Bale. Wass sent the home side ahead in the 33rd minute, but Bale equalised in the 36th, before netting his second less than two minutes later. The visitors lead.
8.36pmSTATISTICS! Real Madrid shaded the first-half possession with 57%, while they managed eight attempts - four of which were on target. Celta, meanwhile, hit the target with two of their five attempts in the first period. Just the one booking to report - Casemiro in the 44th minute.
8.41pmBENCH WATCH! Asensio, Theo Hernandez, Lucas, Borja Mayoral and Kovacic are all on the Real Madrid bench tonight, and it would not be a surprise to see at least two of those in the second period. As for Celta, head coach Unzue could call upon the likes of Lobotka, Mendez, More and Jozabed.
46 minRESTART! Celta resume the action here...
47 min... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.
49 minHalf-chance for Isco as the Spaniard finds space outside the Celta box, but his effort was always straight into the arms of the home side's goalkeeper. Decent tempo at the start of the second half.
51 minYou do get the feeling that Celta need to score the next goal in this match if they are to stand any chance of picking up a positive result. A third for Real Madrid would be big at this stage of events.
53 minHalf-chance for the home side as Sisto makes ground down the left before delivering towards Aspas, but Nacho makes the clearance. Good pressure from Celta early in the second period.
54 minRonaldo fires high into the stands after meeting a cross from Modric down the right.
56 minBale looks to collect a pass from Kroos inside the Celta box once again, but Cabral is on hand to make the clearance. Both sides are having their moments in the early stages of the second period.
58 minLittle over 30 minutes of football remaining here, and not too much has happened in terms of clear chances in the second period. We are entering the stage of the match where both managers will be thinking about changes. There is plenty of talent on both benches tonight - no doubt about that.
60 minPossession football for Celta in the last few minutes, but they are not really making any ground in the final third of the field. It is a game of cat and mouse at this stage of proceedings here.
61 minCLOSE! Jonny just misses the crossbar with a strike from distance!
63 minNeither side has control of this match at the moment, meaning that anything could happen. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals with 63 minutes on the clock here.
65 minRonaldo has not had much joy in the final third of the field tonight, and another Real Madrid attack comes and goes without the number seven touching the ball. Still 2-1 to the away side here.
65 minRonaldo finally meets a cross from Isco, but it is a comfortable save from Blanco.
67 minBOOKING! Mallo (Celta) is booked for a late tackle on Bale.
69 minCelta are waiting to make a double change, and that will occur in the next break.
69 minCHANCE! Gomez flicks the ball into the gloves of Navas from close range.
71 minPENALTY CELTA!
71 minBOOKING! Navas (Real Madrid) is booked for bringing Aspas to the ground inside the box! Aspas was going away from the goal, but he was pulled to the deck!
72 minSAVE! Navas gets down to keep out the spot kick from Aspas!
73 minCELTA SUBS! Mor and Lobotka replace Sisto and Radoja.
75 minCelta really should be level, but Navas was down to keep out the spot kick from Aspas. Still more than 15 minutes for the home side to find a second, and surely the action is not finished here.
77 minREAL MADRID SUBS! Lucas and Kovacic replace Modric and Isco.
79 minLittle over 10 minutes of football remaining, and Real Madrid still lead 2-1 courtesy of that double from Bale in the first period. It seems a long time ago now - a lot has happened since then.
81 minHalf-chance for the away side as Lucas feeds Ronaldo in the final third of the field, but the number seven strikes straight at Blanco from a narrow angle. Ronaldo should have done better there.
82 minStill more than enough time for Celta to score a second in this match. Real Madrid are very deep at the moment, with Lucas and Bale in the wide areas and Ronaldo up top. Kovacic, Kroos and Casemiro are the middle three for the visitors. Celta have the ball inside Real Madrid's half here.
82 minGOAL! Celta 2-2 Real Madrid (Gomez)
83 minCelta finally level the scores in the 82nd minute as Gomez heads a wonderful Wass cross into the back of the net! Not sure about the defending from the Spanish champions there!
85 minRonaldo finds the side netting after breaking into the final third of the field.
85 minREAL MADRID SUB! Asensio replaces Bale for the away side.
87 minAspas goes down inside the box under a challenge from Marcelo, but the referee says no!
88 minMarcelo put a lazy leg out to meet Aspas, and the forward went over it!
88 minBOOKING! Aspas (Celta) is booked for dissent.
90 minSAVE! Wonderful save from Blanco to keep out Lucas from close range!
90 min+1CELTA SUB! Wass is replaced by Jozabed.
90 min+2We are into the second minute of added time, and Celta have just smashed the ball down field.
90 min+3FULL-TIME: Celta 2-2 Real Madrid
9.35pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with the points being shared in a 2-2 draw in Vigo. What a match as Real Madrid fail to return to winning ways in the league! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!
