Real Madrid dig deep to pip Celta Vigo to Copa del Rey quarters

Real Madrid erased their Clásico humbling from their minds by reaching the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey with a 5-2 win over Celta Vigo in extra time.

Scorers: Mbappé 37', Junior 48', Endrick 108', 119', Valverde 112'; Bamba 83', Alonso 90+1' (P)

A new-look lineup after the loss against Barcelona took to the pitch for Carlo Ancelotti, but at the end of the day, the same big names delivered the initial goals.

After toying for over half an hour, Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring when he grabbed the ball in his own half, raced down the left wing and finished into the far side of the net.

Celta Vigo would feel hard done by, though, as minutes before the goal, they had clear penalty claims. Andriy Lunin raced off his line and took out Williot Swedber  but nothing was given.

Immediately after the break, Madrid doubled their lead. Mbappé scooped a ball toward Brahim Diaz, and the Spaniard found a racing Vinicius Junior who split two visiting defenders and turned things 2-0.

With only two shots on target, it appeared as though the hosts would cruise through to the next round. Chances from Fran Beltrán and Hugo Sotelo required Lunin to be quick on his feet, but Madrid were still controlling things.

However, as the saying goes, a 2-0 lead is always the shakiest in football.

Jonathan Bamba, who is linked with an exit from Celta Vigo, entered the game and made an impact immediately. A mistake from Eduardo Camavinga gifted the visitors the ball in the box and the unmarked substitute turned things 2-1.

Another mistake then turned the match square minutes later when Raúl Asencio committed a foul in the box on Bamba who won a penalty. Marcos Alonso stepped up and calmly converted to push the game into extra-time.

Celta Vigo had another penalty claim fall on deaf ears in the extra 30 minutes when Antonio Rudiger appeared to commit a handball. Madrid, scraping by, then managed to score the winner.

Substitutes Arda Guler and Endrick combined from outside the box and the Brazilian's powerful strike found the far left corner before he removed his shirt in celebration.

A late strike from Federico Valverde from way downtown then ensured Los Blancos avoided an embarrassing exit as he added the fourth of the night for Madrid.

Then it became somewhat of a goal competition for the hosts.

Endrick made it a brace on the night with a sublime backheel finish and Celta Vigo were forced to wonder what could have been if they held on.

📸 JAVIER SORIANO - AFP or licensors