A trip to the Balaidos in Galicia is never tepid waters — Barcelona were made to weather their own storm in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula on Thursday in a frantic 1-1 Copa del Rey Round of 16 draw — and Celta Vigo again showcased their formidable home fortress in a 2-2 La Liga draw with Real Madrid on Sunday.
Real maintain a game in hand on league-leaders Barcelona, but the gap at the top is now at 16 points for Los Blancos following Sunday’s action (Barca defeated Levante 3-0 earlier in the day).
Celta took the lead in the 33rd minute after Iago Aspas played Daniel Wass through on goal. The 28-year-old Danish attacker beautifully chipped Keylor Navas to put the home side up 1-0.
¡GOOOOLAZO! De contragolpe, Wass pone a ganar al @RCCelta - #CeltaRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/2zhyjceGXU
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) January 7, 2018
Only three minutes later, Gareth Bale (fresh off his latest calf setback) showcased his undisputed greatness when fit by sprinting beyond Celta’s backline and finishing off Toni Kroos’ pass.
¡GOOOOLAZO! @GarethBale11 exhibe su velocidad en otro contragolpe e iguala el juego para el @realmadrid - #CeltaRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/rUWGFYUD3F
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) January 7, 2018
Two minutes after the equalizer, Bale gave Real the lead with an instinctive finish after Isco played the killer pass. Not bad for a player who’s been labeled selfish during Real’s mini-slide.
¡GOOOOLAZO! En menos de nada, @GarethBale11 vuelve y se luce, repite y el @realmadrid ya gana - #CeltaRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/HHsKu8k7Rs
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) January 7, 2018
But Celta came roaring back in the second half. In the 71st minute, Aspas earned a penalty after being fouled by Navas in the box. However, the Costa Rican dramatically turned from villain to hero after saving Aspas’ spot kick.
¡DE VILLANO A HÉROE! @NavasKeylor derriba a @aspas10 pero el guardameta ataja el penal que cobró el jugador del @RCCelta #CeltaRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/jgzQcReial
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) January 7, 2018
Celta would not be denied. 10 minutes later — in the match’s 82nd minute — they had their equalizer after Wass’ cross found Maxi Gomez unmarked in the box.
¡GOOOOOL! De cabeza, Maxi Gomez pone el - para el @RCCelta #CeltaRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/2LmgnRWc4E
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) January 7, 2018
Real Madrid are now closer to fifth (Sevilla are three points back) than third (Valencia are five points ahead).