Real Madrid beat Celta Vigo

Marco Asensio’s goal was his first of the season

Real Madrid went top of La Liga with a comfortable win against in-form Celta Vigo at the Bernabeu.

The visitors arrived in Madrid unbeaten since 21 November, but were behind after six minutes when Lucas Vazquez headed home Marco Asensio’s cross.

Asensio got on the scoresheet himself in the second half when he sidefooted in from Casemiro’s pass.

Celta, who lost La Liga top scorer Iago Aspas to injury early in the second half, rarely posed a threat.

Santi Mina went closest when he swept a shot wide from the edge of the area.

The victory lifted Real Madrid one point clear of Atletico Madrid at the top of the table, although Diego Simeone’s side has three games in hand and travel to Alaves on Sunday.

Madrid needed just six minutes to take the lead, but did so in a series of events that could have changed the complexion of the game.

With Courtois beaten by a chipped effort from Iago Aspas, Nacho cleared the goal-bound attempt off the line, starting a rapid Madrid counterattack. The ball found its way to Marco Asensio on the left wing, from where he stood up a cross to the far post that was met by the head of Lucas Vazquez to open the scoring. It was the latter’s 15th La Liga goal with Los Blancos, and the former’s 15th league assist for the club.

Celta thought they had a route back into the contest in the 28th minute when Renato Tapia‘s flick struck the arm of Ferland Mendy in the Madrid box, but when video replay confirmed that the left-back’s arm was tucked tightly against his body, the VAR denied the visitors’ penalty appeals.

Madrid put the result beyond doubt in the 53rd minute, with Asensio and Vazquez again combining for a goal, this time reversing roles — Asensio the goal scorer, Vazquez the provider — after Luka Modric intercepted a loose pass in midfield and sprung a devastating counter.

“We said before the game that after slipping up against Elche we wanted to show our usual aggression and win the ball back high up the pitch,” said Vazquez.

“Right now every game is key, we are on a good run, we didn’t expect to draw the other day but the team is in good shape and if we keep playing like this we’ll be fighting for everything.”