Spanish league: Real Madrid slam Celta Vigo for a four

Madrid: Javier Hernandez struck twice as Real Madrid kept the pressure on Barcelona at the top of La Liga by reducing the Catalans' lead to two points with a enthralling 4-2 win at Celta Vigo on Sunday.

 

Nolito fired the hosts into an early lead before goals from Toni Kroos and Hernandez turned the game around. Santi Mina brought Celta level, but James Rodriguez’s deflected effort put Madrid in front once more before the break and Hernandez rounded off the scoring in style 22 minutes from time.

 

“It was the kind of game we like,” said Real boss Carlo Ancelotti. “To play on the front foot and take risks as did Celta. That made for a spectacular and very open game.

“Hernandez is enjoying his moment and helping the team a lot. The whole team worked very hard. We struggled in many moments during the game, but up front we were very efficient,” he added.

 

Hernandez had starred with the only goal of the tie as Real beat Atletico Madrid for the first time in eight meetings this season to reach the Champions League semi-finals in midweek. However, they were pushed onto the back foot straight away by a Celta side that had already claimed the scalps of Barcelona and Atletico in La Liga this season.

 

Nolito opened the scoring after just nine minutes as he eased past the weak challenges of Dani Carvajal and Asier Illarramendi before leaving Iker Casillas flat-footed with a low shot that rolled in at the near post.

 

Celta’s lead lasted only seven minutes as Cristiano Ronaldo’s dangerous cross from the right was cleared only as far as Kroos at the edge of the area and the German curled home.