The winger produced the decisive moments at the Bernabeu to maintain Los Blancos' seven-point La Liga lead
With Jude Bellingham sidelined due to his two-game suspension, Real Madrid needed someone to step up in Sunday's clash with Celta Vigo. And Vinicius Jr was the man to answer the call, scoring a crucial goal, creating typical chaos, and leading Los Blancos to a comfortable 4-0 win over their relegation-threatened opponents.
Vinicius opened the scoring for his side, turning the ball home at the far post after an Antonio Rudiger header was parried into his path. Madrid, for their part, created little else in the first half, a series of half-hearted attempts failing to trouble an otherwise solid Celta setup.
Rodrygo could have buried a decisive second after the break, but fired his effort harmlessly at the goalkeeper after running through on goal. Rudiger provided, though, guiding a header off the bar that deflected off an unfortunate Vicente Guaita and into the net.
The third came in the 87th minute, as Vinicius' teasing cross deflected in off a stumbling Carlos Dominguez. Arda Guler then bagged the fourth, rounding the keeper and finishing from a tight angle for his first in a Madrid shirt to round off an agreeable evening.
GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from Santiago Bernabeu…
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Goalkeeper & Defence
Andriy Lunin (6/10):
Relatively untroubled throughout. Had one save to make and did just that.
Lucas Vazquez (7/10):
Got up and down the wing consistently. Created a couple of chances, was dangerous on the dribble. An ideal shift from a consistent backup.
Antonio Rudiger (8/10):
Won an important header to give Madrid the lead. Will take credit for the second, too. Wasn't bullied by Celta's physicality.
Nacho (6/10):
Mostly anonymous, but that wasn't a bad thing for a composed centre-back. Completed 95 percent of his passes.
Ferland Mendy (6/10):
Solid in what was mostly a shielding role to allow Vinicius to do his thing.
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Midfield
Eduardo Camavinga (7/10):
Came close in the first half with a bullet header. Won his tackles and headers. An excellent showing at the No.6.
Federico Valverde (7/10):
Allowed a bit more freedom to get forward than in recent weeks, and seemed to enjoy it. Wreaked havoc in the right channel.
Luka Modric (8/10):
Magic, as always. Created eight chances, completed almost all of his passes, and was at the middle of all of the good things Madrid did.
Brahim Diaz (6/10):
Not quite at his best, but still useful in tight areas.
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Attack
Vinicius Jr (8/10):
Scored the first, made some defenders look silly, and had a big hand in the third.
Rodrygo (6/10):
A bit wasteful in key areas, even if his movement was a real problem.
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Subs & Manager
Joselu (5/10):
Came on and missed a couple of chances – fortunate that the game was won.
Aurelien Tchouameni (N/A):
No time to make an impact
Toni Kroos (N/A):
A 10-minute cameo. Probably needed the rest.
Arda Guler (7/10):
Scored within five minutes of entering the fray. What a memorable moment.
Dani Ceballos (N/A):
Assisted Guler's goal.
Carlo Ancelotti (7/10):
Rotated significantly, benching Kroos and entrusting Vazquez with all 90 minutes, while also making do without Bellingham. His team were poor in the first half, but really turned it on late. They're making the title charge look far too easy.
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