Real Madrid Stunned by Swedberg Brace: Celta End 18-Year Wait with Historic 2-0 Win Against Real Madrid

HISTORY MADE AT THE BERNABEU. Williot Swedberg scored twice—including a sensational backheel finish—as Celta Vigo stunned Real Madrid 2-0 on Saturday evening, ending an 18-year wait for victory at the Santiago Bernabeu and dealing a devastating blow to Los Blancos’ La Liga title hopes. The Swedish winger’s moment of magic in the 54th minute broke the deadlock before his stoppage-time clincher sealed one of the most shocking results of the season, leaving the home crowd in stunned silence and Barcelona celebrating four points clear at the top.

The defeat marks Real Madrid’s second consecutive home loss after falling to Athletic Bilbao just days earlier, extending their winless La Liga run to four matches. For Celta, this wasn’t just three points—it was redemption, vindication, and a statement that the 12-match losing streak against Real Madrid has finally ended. Their last Bernabeu victory came in 2006 under Fernando Vazquez, making this triumph even sweeter for the Galician side who arrived as massive underdogs.

First Half Stalemate

The opening 45 minutes offered plenty of chances but no goals, with both goalkeepers producing excellent performances to keep the scoreline level. Thibaut Courtois was called into action early, making crucial saves to deny Pablo Duran and other Celta attackers who threatened on the counter-attack.

At the other end, Celta’s Romanian goalkeeper Ionut Andrei Radu was equally impressive. The 27-year-old made a spectacular double save to deny Vinicius Junior, who had been played through by Aurelien Tchouameni with a perfectly weighted pass. Vinicius entered the box and shot low toward the bottom corner, but Radu got down brilliantly to keep it out.

Federico Valverde tried his luck from distance with a powerful strike that was headed for goal, but Radu produced another excellent save, showcasing the form that has made him Celta’s first-choice keeper this season. The Spanish midfielder’s “pajarito” (little bird) celebration would have to wait—his shot was nowhere near beating the inspired Romanian.

Real Madrid controlled possession, enjoying 62 percent of the ball in the first half, but they couldn’t break down Celta’s well-organized defensive shape. Arda Guler swung in multiple corners from both flanks, but none found a teammate. Madrid’s attacks lacked penetration, with Celta defending deep and compact, forcing Los Blancos to shoot from distance or attempt low-percentage crosses.

Jude Bellingham suffered a bloody nose in the first half and had to leave the pitch temporarily for treatment, disrupting Madrid’s rhythm. The England midfielder returned but was clearly bothered by the injury, receiving a yellow card for dissent after complaining to referee Alejandro Jose Hernandez Hernandez about a decision.

The teams went into halftime deadlocked at 0-0, but the sense around the Bernabeu was uneasy. Madrid had dominated possession without creating clear chances, while Celta looked dangerous every time they broke forward. Something had to give in the second half.

Swedberg’s Moment of Magic

Claudio Giraldez made a crucial substitution at halftime, bringing on Williot Swedberg for the injured Pablo Duran. The Swedish winger had endured a frustrating season, playing just 246 minutes across all competitions and scoring only once—a goal against PAOK Salonika in the Europa League. But on Saturday evening, he would write his name into Celta folklore.

The breakthrough arrived nine minutes into the second half with a goal of stunning technical quality. Ilaix Moriba, Oscar Mingueza, and Bryan Zaragoza combined brilliantly down the right flank, with Zaragoza delivering a dangerous cross into Madrid’s penalty area from the right channel.

Swedberg timed his run perfectly, getting ahead of his marker. Rather than attempting a conventional finish, he showed audacious creativity, flicking the ball with his heel. The backheel struck perfectly, sending the ball past Courtois and nestling into the net at the near post.

The Bernabeu fell silent. Swedberg wheeled away in celebration, his teammates mobbing him in disbelief. The 22-year-old had been out injured for a month and a half, enduring a season to forget. In one magical moment, all that frustration evaporated. This was his first La Liga goal of the season, and he couldn’t have chosen a better stage or time to deliver it.

Madrid tried to respond immediately. Xabi Alonso made tactical adjustments, bringing on Rodrygo for Raul Asencio in the 67th minute to add more attacking impetus. But Celta absorbed the pressure expertly, defending as a compact unit and limiting Madrid’s clear chances.

Real Madrid’s Desperate Push

With time running out, Real Madrid threw everything forward in search of an equalizer. Rodrygo came on and immediately tried to make an impact, but his shots were wayward, nowhere near troubling Radu. Gonzalo Garcia Torres replaced Guler in another attacking substitution, with Alonso abandoning defensive caution in favor of all-out attack.

Kylian Mbappe attempted a clever lob that went wide of the target. The French superstar, who had netted 55 goals in 2025 and was chasing Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 59 goals in a calendar year for Madrid, couldn’t find his clinical touch when it mattered most. His frustration was visible, knowing that another home defeat would severely damage Madrid’s title ambitions.

Celta defended heroically. Carl Starfelt and Carlos Dominguez were imperious at the back, winning headers and making crucial blocks. Oscar Mingueza worked tirelessly down the right flank, tracking back to help defensively while still providing an outlet on the counter. Sergio Carreira and Javi Rodriguez made vital interceptions, with Rodriguez recording two interceptions alongside Carreira’s two.

Madrid’s desperation led to sloppy play. Francisco Garcia received a yellow card for a reckless challenge on Swedberg, stopping a dangerous counter-attack with a tactical foul. The Real Madrid left-back had no choice but to take the booking, knowing that allowing Swedberg to run at Madrid’s depleted defense could have been fatal.

Aurelien Tchouameni dominated in midfield, winning 10 of 12 duels (83%), but even his efforts couldn’t unlock Celta’s defense. Alvaro Carreras won 7 of 9 duels (78%), but Madrid’s attacking play lacked cohesion. They were creating half-chances but nothing clear-cut, with Radu comfortably dealing with long-range efforts and speculative crosses.

Swedberg Seals It in Stoppage Time

Deep into stoppage time, with Real Madrid committed fully forward, Celta broke on the counter-attack with devastating effect. The ball was worked quickly through midfield, exploiting the enormous gaps left by Madrid’s desperation.

Swedberg found himself with space to run into, and this time there was no doubt. The Swedish winger drove toward goal and finished clinically, slotting past Courtois to make it 2-0 and seal one of Celta’s greatest victories in recent memory.

The Bernabeu crowd couldn’t believe what they were witnessing. Celta’s traveling supporters erupted in celebration, their voices echoing around the stunned stadium. Swedberg ran toward the corner flag, arms spread wide, soaking in the adulation. His teammates piled on top of him in pure joy.

The final whistle blew moments later, confirming the unthinkable. Real Madrid had lost at home again, dropping more crucial points in the title race. Celta Vigo, who came into the match having won just one of their last five across all competitions, had produced a performance for the ages.

Alonso’s Crisis Deepens

This was Xabi Alonso’s worst nightmare. The Real Madrid manager has now overseen back-to-back home defeats—first to Athletic Bilbao 2-1, now to Celta 2-0—and his team’s winless run has extended to four La Liga matches. The gap to Barcelona at the top has grown to four points, and with the Catalans in imperious form, Madrid’s title challenge is hanging by a thread.

Alonso’s decision-making has come under intense scrutiny. His tactical substitutions failed to spark Madrid into life, and the team’s attacking play lacked creativity and penetration. Without injured defenders Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, and Ferland Mendy, Madrid’s backline looked vulnerable throughout.

Raul Asencio was given his chance alongside Tchouameni in central defense, with Lucas Vazquez at right-back and Francisco Garcia on the left. The makeshift back four held firm in the first half but was eventually undone by Swedberg’s brilliance. Alonso brought on Rodrygo for Asencio in the 67th minute, abandoning the defensive structure in favor of attack, but it backfired spectacularly as Celta exploited the space on the counter.

The Spanish press will be merciless. Headlines questioning Alonso’s tactics, Real Madrid’s title credentials, and the team’s mental fragility are inevitable. Los Blancos haven’t looked convincing all season despite Mbappe’s prolific scoring, and this defeat exposes deeper structural problems that won’t be easily fixed.

Giraldez’s Tactical Masterclass

For Celta manager Claudio Giraldez, this was vindication. The 37-year-old tactician set his team up perfectly, staying compact defensively while threatening on the counter-attack. His halftime substitution of Swedberg for the injured Pablo Duran proved inspired, with the Swedish winger delivering when it mattered most.

Celta’s defensive organization was exceptional. They allowed Real Madrid to dominate possession—Real Madrid finished with 63 percent of the ball—but restricted them to low-quality chances. Every time Madrid pushed forward, Celta stayed disciplined, maintaining their shape and forcing Los Blancos to shoot from distance or attempt hopeful crosses.

On the counter-attack, Celta were clinical. Both goals came from rapid transitions, exploiting the space left by Madrid’s high defensive line. Ilaix Moriba’s key pass set up the first goal, while Bryan Zaragoza’s assist for Swedberg’s opener showcased the quality Celta possess going forward.

Radu’s performance in goal was crucial. The Romanian made several vital saves, including that double stop on Vinicius in the first half, to keep Celta in the match when Madrid threatened. His distribution was also excellent, helping Celta launch quick counter-attacks that constantly worried Madrid’s defense.

What This Means for the Title Race

Barcelona now sit four points clear at the top of La Liga with 40 points, while Real Madrid are stuck on 36 points having dropped seven of a possible 12 in their last four league matches. The psychological advantage has shifted dramatically to Hansi Flick’s side, who are playing with confidence and conviction while Madrid stumble.

Real Madrid’s remaining fixtures include crucial matches against title rivals and European opponents. With defensive injuries mounting and attacking play stagnating, Alonso faces enormous pressure to turn things around quickly. Another slip-up could see Barcelona extend their lead to an almost insurmountable margin.

For Celta, this victory is transformative. They climb to 19 points in 12th place, moving away from relegation concerns and giving their season renewed purpose. More importantly, they’ve proven they can compete with and beat Spain’s elite when they execute their game plan properly.

The 18-year drought is over. Celta hadn’t beaten Real Madrid in La Liga since the 2013-14 season, suffering through 18 consecutive matches without victory (12 losses, 6 draws). Their last win at the Bernabeu in 2006 was a distant memory for most current players. But Swedberg’s brace has rewritten history, giving Celta bragging rights and three precious points in their quest for mid-table safety.

Individual Performances

Williot Swedberg will understandably dominate the headlines. His backheel goal will be replayed for years as one of La Liga’s finest finishes, while his stoppage-time clincher showcased composure under pressure. After a season marred by injury and limited playing time, this was his breakout performance.

Ionut Andrei Radu made six crucial saves, keeping Celta in the match when Real Madrid threatened. His double stop on Vinicius was world-class goalkeeping that proved decisive. The Romanian’s distribution and command of his penalty area were also exemplary.

For Madrid, Tchouameni worked tirelessly, winning 83 percent of his duels and trying to drive his team forward. But without proper support from the attack, his efforts were in vain. Mbappe, despite 55 goals in 2025, couldn’t produce when it mattered. Vinicius was frustrated throughout, creating chances but lacking the final touch.

Takeaway: Celta Vigo produced one of the season’s biggest upsets with a 2-0 victory over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, ending an 18-year wait for victory at the iconic stadium. Williot Swedberg scored both goals—a sensational 54th-minute backheel from Bryan Zaragoza’s cross and a stoppage-time clincher—to condemn Real Madrid to their second consecutive home defeat. The Swedish winger’s first La Liga goal of the season couldn’t have come at a better moment, breaking Celta’s 12-match losing streak against Los Blancos and securing three precious points. Ionut Andrei Radu made six vital saves including a brilliant double stop on Vinicius Junior to preserve the clean sheet. The defeat leaves Real Madrid on 36 points, four behind Barcelona who now have a commanding lead in the La Liga title race. Madrid have won just once in their last four league matches, and Xabi Alonso faces mounting pressure after tactical substitutions failed to inspire a comeback. Celta’s victory moves them to 19 points in 12th place, securing their first win at the Bernabeu since 2006 under Fernando Vazquez. Claudio Giraldez’s tactical masterclass and inspired halftime substitution of Swedberg proved decisive in one of the season’s most shocking results.

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More: https://www.realmadrid.com/en-US/football/games/la-liga/real-madrid-celta-de-vigo/07-12-2025