Toni Kroos scores with his left hand against Celta Vigo. In the end, however, it’s not enough to win – because the visitors strike late.
Real Madrid have suffered a setback in the Spanish league title fight.
Despite a goal from Toni Kroos in front of their home crowd, the Real had to settle for a 2-2 (1-0) win over relegation-threatened Celta Vigo – and that two weeks before the Clásico against FC Barcelona.
Fedor Smolov had surprisingly put the visitors in the lead in the 7th minute. Kroos struck after the break with a placed left-footed shot for Real (52.) before Sergio Ramos scored from the point to give Real the lead (65.).
Kroos thus continued an impressive series: the German international has scored against the Galicians every year since 2015.
But Vigo, in the person of Santi Mina, still had an answer ready in the 85th minute. Denis Suarez cleared his team-mate with a sensational pass in the penalty area, while Mina remained ice-cold ahead of Thibaut Courtois.
Barca one point behind Real
In added time, a member of the Vigo squad received a red card after shooting a second ball into the field.
For Real coach Zinedine Zidane, the evening ended doubly painful, with Vigo’s Joseph Aidoo bringing him down in the 61st minute. But the Frenchman quickly picked himself up and helped Aidoo back on his feet.
Celta kept 17th place by winning the points, which would be enough to keep her in class. Leader of the standings Real, who had won five games in a row recently and was able to call on Eden Hazard again, is now just one point ahead of Barca.