Mumbai, May 5: Real Madrid survived a late scare but kept pace with leader Barcelona again on Sunday, ahead of their Spanish league "clasico" next weekend. Kylian Mbappé scored in each half as Madrid held on to beat Celta Vigo 3-2 and remain four points behind the Catalan rival going into next Sunday's match in Barcelona. Arda Güler also scored for Madrid, which opened a 3-0 lead early in the second half but saw Celta get back into the game toward the end of the match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium. La Liga 2024–25 Preview: Barcelona Gets Chance To Rest Top Players Against Already Relegated Real Valladolid.

"La Liga is in Barcelona's hands, but we'll have more chances if we're able to win. It's a great opportunity. We're going to prepare well for Sunday's game, which I'm not saying will be decisive, but almost."  Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said.

Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo Match Highlights

Celta had a couple of great chances to complete its comeback, including a shot by Pablo Durán that stopped just short of the goal line after a deflection by Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in the 78th minute. Courtois had to make a couple of saves near the end to secure the win.

“We did very well for an hour, we could have managed the lead a little better, but in the end it was a nice win,” Ancelotti said.

Barcelona came from behind to defeat last-placed Valladolid 2-1 on Saturday, when coach Hansi Flick rested most of the team's regular starters ahead of its Champions League semifinal match at Inter Milan on Tuesday. Barcelona and Inter drew 3-3 in the first leg. Kylian Mbappe Jumps to Second Spot in List of Players Who Scored Most Goals in Debut Season For Real Madrid, Surpasses Cristiano Ronaldo to Achieve Feat.

Real Madrid Gets a Scare

Güler put Madrid ahead with a shot into the top corner in the 33rd, and Mbappé scored in the 39th — also finding the top corner — and in a breakaway in the 48th. The France star hadn't scored in the league since March.

The match appeared under control until Javi Rodríguez pulled the visitors closer in the 69th and Williot Swedberg scored Celta's second goal in the 76th. A couple of minutes later, Durán's shot agonizingly stopped just in front of the goal line after the ball picked up some backspin as it struck Courtois.

"It was a shame," Celta striker Borja Iglesias said. "We had our chances. That shot by Pablo almost went in. It wasn't meant to be."

Celta, which was coming off a 3-0 win over Villarreal, stayed in seventh place.

There were a few jeers from the Bernabeu crowd as Madrid struggled to hold on to its lead late in the game. Real Valladolid 1-2 Barcelona La Liga 2024-25: Raphinha, Fermin Lopez Score as Blaugrana Extend Lead at Top of League Standings.

All the Confidence in the World

It was the fourth straight league win for Madrid, which last Saturday lost the Copa del Rey final to Barcelona and last month was eliminated by Arsenal in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.

“We played the last game (against Barcelona) a week ago. It was a very competitive game and we came close to winning," Ancelotti said. "We don't have to invent a lot of things. We're going to play a serious game. It's very important. We're going to play with all the confidence in the world. Despite all the difficulties, we're there and to be able to fight this match is something nice.”

He said having Mbappé in top form will be key. “He's going to be a very important player in this match due to the fact that Barcelona play with a very high line," Ancelotti said. “His runs in behind are going to be very important and decisive.” La Liga 2024–25: Arda Guler Scores As Real Madrid Beats Getafe 1–0 in Spanish League Ahead of Copa Del Rey Final Against Barcelona (Watch Goal Video Highlights).

Forward Rodrygo was not included in the squad because of illness.

Basque Country derby draw The Basque Country derby ended in a 0-0 draw between Athletic Bilbao and host Real Sociedad. Athletic is three points ahead of fifth-placed Villarreal and six points behind third-placed Atletico Madrid.

Athletic was coming off a 3-0 home loss to Manchester United in the first leg of the Europa League semifinals. Midtable Sociedad is winless in four matches. Also Sunday, 15th-placed Sevilla drew 2-2 with second-to-last Leganes, while sixth-placed Real Betis beat 14th-placed Espanyol 2-1.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)