Gareth Bale scored twice as Real Madrid recorded a 6-0 win over Celta Vigo in Saturday night's La Liga clash at the Bernabeu.
Bale was joined on the scoresheet by Isco, Achraf Hakimi, Toni Kroos and Celta defender Sergio Gomez as the Madrid giants returned to within three points of second-placed Atletico Madrid with just one round of La Liga matches left to play this term.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
6.46pmEvening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Bernabeu as Real Madrid welcome Celta Vigo. Zinedine Zidane's side will enter this match off the back of a 3-2 defeat at Sevilla, which left them down in third spot in the table. Celta, meanwhile, have struggled for results in recent weeks, but can still finish in the top half of the division.
6.49pmThese two teams played out a 2-2 draw in the reverse La Liga match earlier this season, but Real Madrid recorded a 2-1 victory when they last locked horns at the Bernabeu in Spain's top flight. That said, Celta did win 2-1 in this stadium during last season's Copa del Rey, although you have to go back to November 2006 to find Celta's last league victory away to Real Madrid.
6.52pmRight, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Spanish capital. As mentioned, Real Madrid were in action on Wednesday night -suffering a 3-2 defeat at Sevilla. Celta, meanwhile, drew 1-1 at home to Deportivo La Coruna last weekend. Any changes?
6.55pmTEAMS!
REAL MADRID: Navas; Achraf, Nacho, Varane, Marcelo; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Bale, Benzema, Isco
CELTA VIGO: Sergio; Mallo, Roncaglia, Gomez, Jonny; Lobotka, Wass, Jozabed; Mendez, Gomez, Boye
6.58pmReal Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has made eight changes from the team that started against Sevilla on Wednesday night, with Nacho, Casemiro and Karim Benzema the only three players to keep their positions in the XI. Gareth Bale, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric are among those that return for Los Blancos, but Cristiano Ronaldo misses out for the European champions once again.
© Offside
7.02pmAs for Celta, their leading scorer Iago Aspas only makes the bench tonight. Aspas has managed 20 La Liga goals during an impressive 2017-18 campaign, but the Spain international is on the bench here as Maxi Gomez is joined by Lucas Boye in the final third of the field. The visitors are also without tricky winger Pione Sisto, who is another to have had a fine season.
7.05pmSo there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff in the Spanish capital. I shall speak about Celta Vigo a little bit later, but let's start with Real Madrid. As mentioned, Los Blancos will enter this match off the back of a 3-2 defeat at Sevilla on Wednesday night, and they are now without a victory in their last three in all competitions.
7.08pm
💨👕✅ Our dressing room at the Bernabéu is ready for the players for the last time this season!#HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/y1VIG8829Z
— Real Madrid C.F.🇺🇸🇬🇧 (@realmadriden) May 12, 2018
7.12pmReal Madrid's last victory was a 2-1 success over Leganes in La Liga on April 28. Since then, they have drawn 2-2 with Bayern Munich in the Champions League - advancing to the final in the process - and also drew 2-2 away to Barcelona in El Clasico last weekend. Zidane's team then suffered a 3-2 defeat at Sevilla on Wednesday night, although a number of key players were missing.
7.15pmReal Madrid remain in third position in the table - three points behind second-placed Atletico Madrid, although that gap looks likely to become six points in the next few minutes as Diego Simeone's side are currently 1-0 ahead at Getafe, and that one is in the very final stages.
7.18pmLos Blancos have just not been good enough to challenge Barcelona for the Spanish title this season, with an 18-point gap separating the two teams. Granted, Barcelona have been exceptional this term, but that is a huge gap, and it could yet get worse before the season is out.
7.22pm
💙 Nuestro once en el Santiago Bernabéu. ¡HALA CELTA! #RealMadridCelta pic.twitter.com/zvG5DRbI56
— RC Celta (@RCCelta) May 12, 2018
7.25pmLA LIGA FULL-TIMES: Real Sociedad 3-2 Leganes, Alaves 3-1 Athletic Bilbao, Real Betis 2-2 Sevilla, Eibar 1-0 Las Palmas, Getafe 0-1 Atletico Madrid, Girona 0-1 Valencia, Deportivo La Coruna 2-4 Villarreal
Real Madrid are now six points off second-placed Atletico, while Celta have dropped a place into 13th. That said, a win for the visitors tonight would move them level on points with 10th-placed Real Sociedad. Villarreal are in pole position for fifth with their win at Deportivo La Coruna.
7.28pmIn terms of what is ahead for Real Madrid, they will finish their La Liga season away to Villarreal next weekend, before the small matter of the Champions League final against Liverpool in Kiev on May 26. The Spanish giants are looking to win the European Cup for the third year in succession, and will enter as the favourites to overcome the Premier League side.
7.32pm
👐 @NavasKeylor
— Real Madrid C.F. ⚽️ (@realmadrid) May 12, 2018
👐 @KikoCasilla13#HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/KaEOLkYmK1
7.35pmAs for Celta, Juan Carlos Unzue's side will enter the match off the back of a 1-1 draw at home to Deportivo last weekend. Celta have not actually won in the league since overcoming Sevilla at the start of April, although they did hold Barcelona and Valencia in back-to-back matches last month.
7.38pmCelta have won 12, drawn 10 and lost 14 of their 36 La Liga matches this season, with a total of 46 points leaving them in 13th position in the table. The top half of the division is very much within touching distance, and they will be looking to improve on last season's 13th-placed finish.
7.42pmCelta will finish their season at home to Levante next weekend, and two victories would surely be enough to secure a top-half finish. Right, the two teams are in the tunnel ahead of kickoff at the Bernabeu. Let's hope for an entertaining game of football from the Spanish capital.
0 minKICKOFF! Celta kick things off in the Spanish capital...
2 min... there is not an awful lot at stake tonight, but the supporters have turned out in their numbers, and there is a really good atmosphere. Celta are not exactly the type of team to come here and sit deep, which should bring us an open and entertaining game of football.
4 minQuite a scrappy first few minutes here, with both teams guilty of conceding possession in forward areas. Celta have Mendez, Gomez and Boye pushed high up the field at the moment.
6 minCHANCE! Big chance for the home side as Achraf breaks into the Celta box before smashing the ball towards goal, and Celta goalkeeper Alvarez is fortunate to keep it out!
8 minGood pressure from Celta in the last couple of minutes as they keep the ball in Real Madrid's half of the field, but their latest attack ends with Navas collecting a low cross from Mendez.
10 minThe early atmosphere has dropped a touch, and the game is drifting at the moment. You do get the feeling that this match could do with an early goal to liven everyone up.
13 minCelta work the ball into the Real Madrid box, with Gomez feeding Mendez, who brings a smart save from Navas. The offside flag, however, had already been raised. Not an awful lot for the Real Madrid supporters to get excited about as the first period continues to gather pace here.
13 minGOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Celta (Bale)
14 minReal Madrid make the breakthrough in the 13th minute of this match as Bale breaks onto a fine Modric pass before finishing into the bottom corner via the post. Super finish there!
16 minHalf-chance for Celta to hit back, but Lopez strikes over from a wide angle.
17 minGOAL DISALLOWED! Celta thought that they had levelled the scores when Jozabed tapped home from inside the box, but the offside flag was raised!
20 minI would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals in this match as both teams continue to commit players in the final third of the field. Celta are leaving four players high up the pitch.
22 minSAVE! Achraf forces Alvarez into another decent save following more good running from the Real Madrid right-back in a wide area. He has a lot of space down there!
24 minCelta are leaving a lot of space in a defensive position, and you have to think that Real Madrid are going to double their advantage sooner rather than later. Bale is full of it at the moment.
26 minMaxi Gomez has been a little bit untidy on the ball in the last couple of minutes, and that is making it difficult for Celta to move up the field. Real Madrid are dominating at the moment.
28 minSmart save from Alvarez to keep out a deflected free kick from Bale. Play is then stopped down the other end as Nacho receives treatment on a head injury. Still 1-0 to the home side.
30 minLittle over 15 minutes of the first period remaining, and Bale's goal is the difference. Celta have had some half-chances, but the home side deserve to be ahead at this stage of the match. Bale will be looking to make a serious point to Zidane ahead of the European Cup final.
30 minGOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Celta (Bale)
31 minBale has his second of the match as the Welshman cuts inside onto his left foot before finding the top corner with a stunning strike. It is just wonderful from the attacker once again.
32 minGOAL! Real Madrid 3-0 Celta (Isco)
33 minOh my goodness. Real Madrid make it 3-0 in the 32nd minute as Isco works some space outside the Celta box before finding the top corner with a curling effort. Another stunning goal!
35 minCelta need to be careful that they do not take an absolute hiding in this match.
35 minNacho tries to get in on the act, but the centre-back sends the ball into orbit!
37 minBale continues to make forward runs, and the likes of Kroos and Modric continue to find him. There is no Ronaldo for the Spanish giants tonight, and Bale is having a lot of fun out there.
39 minSAVE! Wonderful save from Navas to keep out a close-range Wass header!
41 minMallo is a touch fortunate to escape a yellow card for clipping the heels of Modric.
43 minEnd-to-end football in the last couple of minutes as both teams commit players forward.
45 minMallo attempts to clip the ball into the feet of Mendez, but Navas is out to collect once again. Real Madrid's goalkeeper has been very good in the first 45 minutes of this match.
45+1 minHALF-TIME: Real Madrid 3-0 Celta
8.31pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading Celta 3-0. Bale has scored twice for the home side, while Isco was also on the scoresheet in a very good first 45 minutes for Zidane's team. Celta could well take a hiding in this match.
8.36pmSTATISTICS! Real Madrid shaded the first-half possession with 53%, while they had five attempts - four of which were on target. Celta also had five attempts in the first 45 minutes, but managed just one shot on target. There has not actually been a yellow card thus far here.
8.41pmBENCH WATCH! Aspas is on the bench for Celta tonight, and it will be interesting to see whether the club's leading scorer is used in the second period. Pablo Hernandez is also available for the visitors, but Sisto is absent through injury. As for Real Madrid, the likes of Asensio, Theo Hernandez, Kovacic, Lucas Vazquez and Borja Mayoral are in reserve for the home side.
46 minRESTART! Real Madrid resume the action here...
46 min... CELTA SUB! Hernandez has replaced Boye for the away side.
48 minAlmost a terrible mix-up for Celta as a back-pass sees Benzema unsettle Alvarez, but the away side manage to clear their lines. Real Madrid do not exactly need a help in this game.
50 minIt will be interesting to see at what point Zidane decides to make changes in this match. To be honest, their next two games are simply warm-up fixtures for the Champions League final, which is promising to be a wonderful affair. Has Bale done enough to secure a starting role?
52 minGOAL! Real Madrid 4-0 Celta (Achraf)
53 minReal Madrid have their fourth of the match as Achraf races into the Celta box before finding the back of the net through the legs of Alvarez. Not sure about the goalkeeper there!
55 minCelta continue to leave gaps in a defensive position, but Roncaglia comes across to clear from Benzema, who will be desperate to get his name on the scoresheet in the second period.
57 minBenzema finds Isco in a dangerous position inside the Celta box, but the offside flag is raised. Celta really could take an absolute hiding here if they are not careful. Terrible defending again.
58 minGOAL DISALLOWED! Real Madrid have the ball in the back of the Celta net for a fifth time as Benzema's effort is turned in by Isco, but the offside flag is raised.
59 minDecent save from Alvarez to keep out a strike from Bale, who wants his hat-trick here.
61 minCHANCE! Alvarez just manages to clear ahead of Bale, who had been found by a wonderful Kroos pass. Bale has caused an untold amount of problems in this match.
62 minAlvarez gets down to keep out a decent strike from Benzema.
64 minREAL MADRID SUBS! Asensio and Mayoral replace Benzema and Isco.
66 minBale looks absolutely determined to complete his hat-trick tonight, and who would bet against it? Not an awful lot from Celta at the moment as Real Madrid continue to dominate the ball.
68 minHalf-chance for the home side as Bale drives into a dangerous position before cutting the ball back to Asensio, but the attacker's effort is blocked. Little over 20 minutes remaining here.
70 minZidane still has one permitted substitution left tonight, and it will be interesting to see who comes off the bench. No sign of Aspas for Celta, which is not too much of a surprise.
72 minCELTA SUB! Jozabed is replaced by Radoja for the away side.
72 minREAL MADRID SUB! Lucas replaces Bale for the home side.
74 minGOAL! Real Madrid 5-0 Celta (Gomez OG)
75 minReal Madrid have their fifth of the night as Sergi Gomez turns a low Asensio cross past his own goalkeeper. It has been a rotten night for Celta, and it could yet get worse here.
77 minSAVE! Alvarez keeps out a close-range effort from Mayoral!
79 minLittle over 10 minutes of the second period remaining in the Spanish capital.
81 minGOAL! Real Madrid 6-0 Celta (Kroos)
82 minReal Madrid have their sixth as Kroos finds the bottom corner with a smart finish!
82 minCELTA SUB! Aspas replaces Mendez for the away side.
84 minPOST! Modric hits the post with a super strike!
85 minBOOKING! Mallo (Celta) is booked for a foul on Marcelo.
87 minCasemiro breaks into the Celta box as the home side look for a seventh, but Gomez is on hand to make a smart challenge. This really could have been double figures for Real Madrid.
89 minI should not imagine that there will be too much added time at the end of the 90 minutes, and therefore if Real Madrid want a seventh then they will have to score in the next minute or so.
90+1 minFULL-TIME: Real Madrid 6-0 Celta
9.31pmSo there we have it. Real Madrid thump Celta 6-0 at the Bernabeu! Terrific performance from Zidane's side, who remain third in the table ahead of the final round of matches. Celta, meanwhile, stay down in 13th position in the division. Thanks for joining our coverage once again!
