Real Madrid suffered a shock 2–0 defeat to Celta Vigo at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday, ending the match with nine men and increasing scrutiny on manager Xabi Alonso.
The loss leaves Madrid four points behind league leaders Barcelona and extends their worrying run to just one win in their last five La Liga games.
Williot Swedberg struck twice for Celta, scoring in the 53rd minute before adding a second in stoppage time after Real’s collapse late in the match.
Madrid’s troubles deepened when Fran García was sent off in the 64th minute after receiving two yellow cards in rapid succession. Álvaro Carreras was also dismissed in the 92nd minute for dissent and abusive language, leaving the hosts with nine men.
The defeat marks Celta’s first league win over Real Madrid since May 2014, ending a 22-match winless streak against Los Blancos.
Real created chances but failed to convert, with Arda Güler narrowly missing and Kylian Mbappé chipping just over the bar. Their defensive woes worsened as Éder Militão limped off with a hamstring injury, days after Trent Alexander-Arnold was ruled out for two months.
Alonso, who revealed earlier in the week that he had held talks with club president Florentino Pérez about the team’s dip in form, was booked during the match as tensions rose inside the stadium.
Real Madrid now turn their attention to a crucial Champions League clash against Manchester City on Wednesday.
