Real Madrid welcomed Celta Vigo to the Bernabeu on Saturday knowing that a win would see them cut the gap on second-place Atletico Madrid to just one point.
The home side took a 1-0 lead into the interval courtesy of a header from Pepe in the 41st minute.
There were seven goals in the second half, however, as four from Cristiano Ronaldo and one each from Jese Rodriguez and Gareth Bale made it seven for Real Madrid, while Iago Aspas had a consolation for the visitors.
Relive Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
2.01pmAfternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from Madrid as Real Madrid welcome Celta Vigo. Los Blancos returned to winning ways in the league with a 3-1 success at Levante on Wednesday night, but they are still 12 points off the league leaders Barcelona, while second-place Atletico Madrid also won during the week to leave Zinedine Zidane's side in third, three places above Celta.
2.04pmIn terms of the recent games between the two teams – Real Madrid have won four of their last five meetings – including a 3-1 success in Vigo earlier this season. The capital side have actually scored 10 times in their last three victories over Celta, which included a 3-0 win in the corresponding match last season. Recent history points to a comfortable Real Madrid victory this afternoon.
2.07pmRight, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the capital. Just how many changes have both managers made from their mid-week matches...
2.10pmTEAMS:
REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Pepe, Danilo; Casemiro, Kovacic, Isco; Ronaldo, Mayoral, Lucas
CELTA: To follow...
2.13pmZidane has kept faith with 18-year-old striker Borja Mayoral in the final third, with the teenager joined by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lucas Vasquez once again. Gareth Bale and Marcelo both have made the squad, but the pair will start on the bench, alongside James Rodriguez. Sergio Ramos has also returned to the first XI, while there Luka Modric and Toni Kroos miss out through injury and illness respectively.
2.16pmTEAMS:
REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Pepe, Danilo; Casemiro, Kovacic, Isco; Ronaldo, Mayoral, Lucas
CELTA: Blanco; Planas, Mallo, Gomez, Jonny; Wass, Hernandez, Diaz, Orellana; Aspas, Nolito
2.19pmAs for Celta, Sergi Gomez and Hugo Mallo come into the team in central defence, with Gustavo Cabral suspended and Andreu Fontas still on the sidelines. Fabian Orellana, Iago Aspas and Nolito all start for the visitors, while experienced Chilean Marcelo Diaz keeps his spot in central midfield.
2.22pmSo there we have it. The two teams are in and we are around 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild afternoon in the Spanish capital. I shall speak about Celta a little bit later, but let's start with Real Madrid, who remain third in the table and 12 points behind the league leaders Barcelona despite returning to winning ways on Wednesday with a 3-1 victory at basement side Levante.
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2.25pmIn truth, Los Blancos were far from convincing at Levante during the week, but it was vital that they recorded all the points after losing 1-0 at home to Atletico last weekend. In truth, only a major collapse from Barcelona would allow Real Madrid back into the title race this term and Atletico would also need to fall away, which seems unlikely due to their own impressive form this season.
2.28pmReal Madrid have actually only lost four of their 27 league games this season and recorded 17 wins in the process. That is far from disastrous, but Barcelona just cannot stop winning and Atletico have recorded 19 victories from their 27 matches. Indeed, Villarreal in fourth are only four points off Real Madrid and Marcelino's side will certainly have Los Blancos in their sights at the moment.
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2.32pmReal Madrid are also the highest scorers (74) in La Liga this season, but they conceded 15 more goals than Atletico. It is difficult to be too critical of Real Madrid, but the supporters will not accept their position in the table. The title race already seems to be over, but there are still 33 more points on offer and Zidane will be desperate to see his team finish above Atletico at least.
2.35pmNext week, Los Blancos will switch their attention back to the Champions League as they welcome Roma for the first leg of their last-16 clash. A 2-0 success in Rome has placed the Spanish giants in a very strong position, but Schalke 04 so nearly shocked Real Madrid in a similar scenario last season and the La Liga outfit will need to be aware of a back-lash. With La Liga all but gone this season, the Champions League is currently the saving grace for Real Madrid and potentially Zidane.
2.38pmRumours of unhappiness in the Real Madrid camp have not helped their situation over the last couple of weeks and there are suggestions that both Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos want to leave at the end of the season. Zidane himself also recently hinted that he might not be at the Bernabeu next season and to be brutally honest, it all seems like a bit of a mess at the moment.
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2.42pmThat is where Celta come in and Eduardo Berizzo's side will want to pile more misery on Real Madrid in the Spanish capital this afternoon. The Sky Blues will enter this match off the back of a three-game unbeaten run in the league, which has included two victories and a 0-0 draw against an in-form Villarreal on Wednesday night, which left them in sixth position in the La Liga table.
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2.45pmCelta's record from 27 league matches this season reads – won 12, drawn six and lost nine, but they have conceded (44) more goals than they have scored (39), which is a surprise for a side in the top six. Nevertheless, they are in a strong position to challenge for a Europa League spot, but the top four now looks unlikely due to the excellent form of Marcelino's Villarreal side.
2.48pmBerizzo led Celta to eighth in La Liga last season, which was their highest finish in the top flight since the 2005-06 campaign, when they posted sixth. Top-half finishes have occurred in their last two seasons and all the signs point to another impressive campaign for a team that returned to La Liga after a five-season absence in 2012. Kickoff is little over 10 minutes away in the capital!
2.52pmVictory for Celta this afternoon would actually take them above fifth-place Sevilla, who travel to Getafe tonight. Berizzo's team took a 6-1 thumping at Barcelona just last month, however, and will be wary of a wounded Real Madrid in the capital. That said, all of the pressure is on Los Blancos this afternoon and Celta have a knack of putting in performances when the odds are against them.
2.55pmA reminder of the two teams for this afternoon...
REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Pepe, Danilo; Casemiro, Kovacic, Isco; Ronaldo, Mayoral, Lucas
CELTA: Blanco; Planas, Mallo, Gomez, Jonny; Wass, Hernandez, Diaz, Orellana; Aspas, Nolito
0 minKICKOFF! Here we go then - the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Time for the football! It is the away side that kick things off in the capital...
2 min... as expected, Real Madrid have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes, with Isco and Casemiro linking well in the middle of the park. Ronaldo finds a little bit of space in a wide position and attempts to slip one into Isco, but Planas is on hand to clear for a throw-in.
4 minWass almost has the chance to break through on the Real Madrid goal after a super pass from Hernandez, but Pepe is back at the vital moment to clear the danger. Still Real Madrid in control of the possession, but you suspect that Celta will have chances on the counter-attack in Madrid.
6 minPlenty happening in terms of challenges at the moment, but the referee has allowed the game to flow, which is contributing to the entertainment. No chances inside six minutes here though.
8 minCelta continue to threaten and Aspas almost breaks away for the visitors once again, but Pepe is on hand to make the challenge. The home side are living very dangerously at the moment and you sense that they could be shocked with an early Celta breakthrough. Good game developing here!
10 minSuper defending from Gomez as the Celta defender steps across to challenge Ronaldo after Danilo had fed his attacker inside the Celta box. Wonderful challenge from the former Barcelona man!
13 minWe are still waiting for the first real chance of this match, but Real Madrid are playing the better football in the final third. The onus is on Ronaldo to make things happen and the Portuguese has been bright inside the opening 13 minutes. Not too much from Mayoral and Lucas thus far though.
14 minPOST! Oh my word! Wonderful chance for Celta to take the lead as Aspas meets a cross from the right, but his header smashes off the post and Navas saves from the rebound!
16 minI am not sure where Real Madrid's defence went a moment ago, but Celta really should be ahead. It was a super save from Navas, but Aspas should have scored with his first effort. Real Madrid continue to pop the ball around, but they are struggling to create clear chances at the moment.
19 minIt is a strange afternoon in the Spanish capital, but the sun has started to come out! The rain has also eased, but it is still very windy. Celta continue to grow in confidence as this game develops.
21 minSAVE! Super stuff from Ruben Blanco as the young Celta stopper dives across to keep out a stinging strike from Ronaldo, who has looked the most likely this afternoon in Madrid.
22 minSAVE! Even better save from Blanco as the stopper keeps out Isco from close range!
24 minJust a few signs that Real Madrid are starting to take control of this match, but there is no question that they are missing the likes of Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Gareth Bale.
25 minAspas has a go from distance for Celta, but his effort was always too high of Navas's net.
25 minBOOKING! Danilo (Real Madrid) is booked for a foul on Wass.
27 minDecent pressure from the away side in the last couple of minutes as they keep the ball in the Real Madrid half and indeed force two corners in quick succession, but the second is played short and eventually Nolito delivers out of play. Still goalless with 27 minutes on the clock in the capital here.
29 minBOOKING! Pepe (Real Madrid) is booked for dissent.
30 minPablo Hernandez is still down for Celta following a collision with Lucas and Pepe was not too pleased with the reaction of the Celta midfielder. The defender now has a booking for his troubles!
32 minIt must be said that Celta are playing some super football, especially in the middle of the park, which has allowed them to escape a number of potentially dangerous situations in this match.
34 minHernandez is still struggling for Celta and it does appear that the visitors will be forced into a change, which is not ideal at this stage of the match. Pretty stop-start game at the moment.
35 minCELTA SUB! Radoja replaces Hernandez for the away team.
37 minThere is such a strange atmosphere inside the stadium this afternoon. It is almost as if the home supporters cannot wait to get on Real Madrid's back. I suspect that there will be whistles at the break if it remains 0-0 entering the half-time interval. Celta continue to look dangerous here.
39 minLittle over five minutes of the first period remaining and in truth, it has been comfortable for Celta and they should be ahead. Aspas had a wonderful chance to send his team into a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute, but his header hit the crossbar, before Navas got down to make a smart save.
40 minPENALTY SHOUT! Real Madrid want a penalty as Ronaldo goes down inside the box under a nudge from Gomez, but the referee is not interested. Whistles from the crowd!
40 minBOOKING! Nolito (Celta) is booked for a late challenge on Carvajal.
41 minSAVE! Another excellent save from Blanco as the Celta stopper keeps out a powerful Casemiro header! The pressure is starting to build as the half-time break approaches here.
41 minGOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Celta (Pepe)
42 minReal Madrid make the breakthrough as Pepe heads an Isco corner past Blanco!
44 minIt is tough on Celta, but that was a wonderful header from Pepe and it brings Zidane to his feet. Celta, however, will continue to press forward and will fancy their chances of hitting back here.
45 minOrellana has a free kick deflected just over the Real Madrid goal.
45 min+1Two added minutes at the end of this first period.
45 min+2HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 1-0 Celta
3.48pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading 1-0 courtesy of a header from Pepe in the 41st minute. It has been hard work for the hosts, however, and Celta have had opportunities of their own. Still very delicately poised in the capital here!
3.53pmSTATISTICS! Real Madrid have shaded the possession with 56%, while they have had six attempts - three of which have been on target. Celta, meanwhile, have only had one attempt on target, but that was a super chance for Aspas, who could not beat Navas from close range after hitting the crossbar with a header. There have also been three yellow cards in a lively contest at the Bernabeu.
3.58pmBENCH WATCH! Real Madrid boss Zidane might well look to give Gareth Bale some minutes this afternoon, while James Rodriguez, Marcelo and Jese Rodriguez are also on a very strong Los Blancos bench. As for Celta, head coach Berizzo has already had to replace the injured Hernandez with Radoja, but he still has the dangerous Swedish international John Guidetti on his bench here.
4pmThis man's goal is the difference as things stand in Madrid...
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46 minRESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Celta find a route back into the match? We shall see! It is the home side that resume the action...
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 gathers pace in the capital.
49 minAspas has looked to break through on a couple of occasions in the early stages of this second period, but Navas has been quick off his line. Down the other end, Isco and Mayoral have both had space inside the Celta box, but some desperate defending sees the away side survive a second.
50 minGareth Bale has been sent to warm-up and that brings warm applause from the Real Madrid supporters. They have really missed the Welshman in recent weeks. That said, it is the home side that continue to press forward here, with Lucas and Isco more lively in the final third of the field.
50 minGOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Celta (Ronaldo)
51 minOh my goodness. Sensational from Ronaldo as the Portuguese hammers a powerful effort past Blanco from distance. That one almost ripped the net and this stadium has just exploded!
53 minReal Madrid are cutting through Celta at the moment and it appears that a third goal will arrive when Danilo delivers into an unmarked Isco, but the offside flag had been raised.
55 minCelta just cannot keep the ball at the moment as Real Madrid continue to dominate possession of the ball. I suspect that there were some words exchanged in the home side's dressing room at the break. There was a bit of anger about the celebration from Ronaldo when he hammered home.
56 minRonaldo hits the deck and stays there - concern here.
56 minNaughty challenge from Mallo, who put his foot down the Achilles of Ronaldo!
57 minReal Madrid have a free kick in a very dangerous area as Wass fells Isco...
58 min... GOAL! Real Madrid 3-0 Celta (Ronaldo)
59 minWonderful, just wonderful from Ronaldo as he fires his free kick straight into the top corner. Blanco just did not move and that is game over at the Bernabeu this afternoon!
60 minCROSSBAR! Ronaldo hits the crossbar with a set piece this time!
62 minGOAL! Real Madrid 3-1 Celta (Aspas)
63 minGame on?! Aspas races through on goal for Celta before lifting his effort over the onrushing goalkeeper. It is a wonderful finish from the Spaniard and the visitors are on the board!
64 minGOAL! Real Madrid 4-1 Celta (Ronaldo, hat-trick)
65 minRonaldo has his hat-trick and Real Madrid have a fourth as Isco puts it on a plate for the attacker, who slides home at the far post. This game has suddenly gone goal crazy in the second period!
66 minREAL MADRID SUB! Bale replaces Isco for the home team.
67 minCELTA SUB! Guidetti replaces Aspas for the visitors.
70 minBale's return has lifted this entire stadium and the Welshman has already driven down both wings and delivered. Jese is also preparing to enter for the home side, who are flying at the moment.
71 minREAL MADRID SUB! Jese Rodriguez replaces Mayoral for the home team.
73 minHalf-chance for the away side as Guidetti finds space in a wide area before attempting to test Navas, but Ramos is across to make the block. Little over 15 minutes remaining in this one.
76 minWell, it seems unlikely that Real Madrid will be able to win the title this season, but with players returning, they have an excellent chance in the Champions League. Marcelo is about to enter...
76 min... GOAL! Real Madrid 5-1 Celta (Ronaldo)
77 minRonaldo has his fourth for Real Madrid as the Portuguese heads a Jese corner into the back of the net. Not sure about the marking there, but it is a fifth goal for the home side.
77 minREAL MADRID SUB! Marcelo replaces Carvajal for the home team.
77 minGOAL! Real Madrid 6-1 Celta (Jese)
78 minSix for Real Madrid as Jese drives into the Celta box before finishing in the bottom corner!
81 minWell, it is excellent for Real Madrid, but it is really poor from Celta. They have just fallen apart in this second period and it is not good enough at this level of football. Not for me.
81 minGOAL! Real Madrid 7-1 Celta (Bale)
82 minBale marks his comeback with a goal as he drives into the box and finds the bottom corner.
85 minReal Madrid continue to drive forward in search of an eighth goal here. The first period was actually very close, but Celta have just fallen apart very, very badly in this second 45 minutes!
88 minIn truth, not much has happened since that seventh goal went in from Bale. Real Madrid are just keeping hold of the possession and very much enjoying being in such a strong position.
90 min+1Real Madrid continue to put the pressure on with a couple of late corners!
90 min+2FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 7-1 Celta Vigo
4.52pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Real Madrid running out 7-1 winners at the Bernabeu - what a second half! The result has moved Real Madrid to within one point of second-place Atletico Madrid, while Celta remain sixth. Thanks for joining Sports Mole. Until next time!
