Real Madrid finally nailed a place in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals in an unforgettable game full of twists and individual brilliances against Celta. The 5-2 extra-time win, inspired by two goals from Endrick and excellent displays from Mbappé and Valverde, demonstrated the lethal edge of Carlo Ancelotti's team in moments of truth. Yet, the nerve-wracking nature of this game underlined that adjustments will be needed when the real tests arrive.
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An intense start controlled by Real Madrid
An intense start with Real Madrid in control Real Madrid knew from the very beginning that this was not going to be a Sunday stroll. Early warning for Celta came in the 5th minute from Marcos Alonso when he headed close by, but the home side responded quickly. Luka Modrić and Tchouameni tested the quick reflexes of goalkeeper Villar, who continued to keep his team in this match. It wasn't until the 37th minute that the sheer talent of Kylian Mbappé tipped the scales. The French forward stormed downfield, weaving past defenders with skillful stepovers before finishing clinically to make it 1-0. It was his 16th goal for the team, scored across six different competitions.
Control, mistakes, and the shocking equalizer
The second half seemed set to deliver a comfortable win for Real Madrid. A very skillful combination by Mbappé, Brahim, and Vini Jr. at the 48-minute mark saw the Brazilian double the lead. Then Madrid seemed firmly in control, but Celta just simply would not go away. By capitalizing on Madrid's mistakes, the visitors managed to turn what was seemingly a done deal into an action-packed, thrilling 2-2 draw. Bamba pulled one back in the 83rd minute, and then deep into stoppage time, Marcos Alonso won a penalty, which he calmly slotted past the keeper for extra time. As it were, the turning point as extended by Carlo Ancelotti: "When the match was almost over, we gave away two goals, and the game opened up. Up until the 70th minute we played well, scored a third goal that was disallowed for offside, reacted well in extra time, and in the end, everything turned out fine."
Brilliant Endrick and gritty Madrid shine in extra time
Extra time became a platform for Real Madrid's resilience and young talent. In the 107', the incredible left-footed strike by Endrick restored the lead for Madrid once again. Young Brazilian talent, already rising to fame, proved why he is considered one of the biggest prospects of his generation. Moments later, Valverde launched a rocket from outside the box, leaving no chance for the goalkeeper. To cap the night, Endrick scored again with a clever backheel to cap his unforgettable performance at Santiago Bernabéu. "Endrick showed his quality," Ancelotti said. "He's a forward who, when given chances in or near the box displays exceptional finishing."
Energy of the Bernabéu and the fans' role
The crowd in the Bernabéu made all the difference in the Madrid comeback. "The Bernabéu booed to wake us up. The complication of the match saw the fans push us forward, and that is something special, different for us," Ancelotti said. Sure, the initial jeers were meant to wake them up, but the fervent support which came when the chips were down proved why this is considered one of those stadiums with an electrifying atmosphere.
Individual Stars and Madrid's team effort
Mbappé once again proved why he is a game-changer, leading Madrid's attack with sharp movements and precision. "He's scoring goals, making offensive runs consistently, and has helped us a lot during this period. He'll be crucial in the upcoming matches," Ancelotti commented. Tchouameni earned similar accolades for his work in defence : "He's a player with character. He went back to his position and was of much help in the defence. Recovered several balls, he gave importance to centre backs and also pressed well. He helped also in the ball circulation."
Also, players such as Arda Güler rose to pivotal moments, once again proving this squad's depth and potential.
What's next for Real Madrid
This was a hard-won victory for Los Blancos, which serves as a full reminder of their quality, but also a warning of areas needing refinement. "Defensively, we did better overall. The two goals we conceded were individual errors, but collectively the team played more consistently," Ancelotti analyzed. The team now waits for the draw on January 20th to find out who they face in the quarterfinals. With high expectations and their sights set on multiple titles, including LaLiga, the Champions League, and Copa del Rey, Real Madrid remains a force to be reckoned with.