Last-gasp deflected strike gives Real Madrid 2-1 win

MADRID (AP):

Real Madrid scored with a deflected shot in the 94th minute to win 2-1 at Celta Vigo yesterday and close the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to one point.

Madrid were seeking to avoid a run of three successive losses for the first time since 2018 and needed a massive dose of luck to secure all three points.

They went ahead after 11 minutes when Aurélien Tchouaméni’s shot from just inside the penalty box left the Celta keeper flatfooted.

Celta’s experienced striker Borja Iglesias equalised for the home side with his third goal in four games after 25 minutes, and strike partner Iago Aspas was unfortunate to see his shot come back off the post with two minutes remaining as both sides pushed for a winner.

But a massive stroke of luck in the dying seconds gave Madrid victory.

Federico Valverde’s shot from outside the box took a big deflection that left keeper Ionut Radu with no chance.

“It hurts because it was right at the death,” Iglesias said. “It’s a bit frustrating.”

Barcelona play their game in hand against Athletic Bilbao today. Madrid have 63 points while Barcelona are on 64.

Celta remain sixth with 40.

Meanwhile in Germany Luis Díaz scored one goal and made another as Bayern Munich beat Borussia Monchengladbach 4-1 to extend their lead at the top of the Bundesliga to 14 points over second-place Borussia Dortmund.

With Harry Kane injured, Nicolas Jackson started in the centre-forward position for Bayern, one of seven changes to the side that beat Dortmund in Der Klassiker last weekend.

But it was Colombian Díaz who started the rampage.

He opened the scoring after 33 minutes with a crashing volley and then turned provider 12 minutes later when his clever pass set up Konrad Laimer to make it 2-0.

Bayern’s task was made easier when Rocco Reitz was sent off for rugby tackling Jackson 10 minutes into the second half.

Jamal Musiala dispatched the resulting penalty to score his first goal of the season and Jackson celebrated his return to the side by adding a fourth 11 minutes from time.

Wael Mohya, 17, grabbed a consolation goal for Gladbach in the dying moments, becoming the club’s youngest-ever goalscorer.

The only disconcerting note for reigning champions Bayern was the withdrawal at halftime of Manuel Neuer. The Germany goalkeeper had returned after missing two games through injury. The extent of his complaint was not immediately apparent.

Gladbach remain in 12th place with 25 points, only three clear of the relegation zone.