Real Madrid climb to LaLiga summit after defeating Celta Vigo

Spain Soccer La Liga
(Image credit: Manu Fernandez)

Real Madrid moved top of LaLiga after a 2-0 home win over Celta Vigo.

Los Blancos made the most of city rivals Atletico not playing until Sunday as they moved a point clear, albeit having played three matches more.

Lucas Vazquez headed Real in front after just five minutes following a cross from Marco Asensio.

Real doubled their lead in the 54th minute through a swift counter-attack as Vazquez’s pass was slotted in by Asensio.

Villarreal are fourth after a 2-1 win over Levante at El Madrigal.

Fernando Nino gave the home side the lead after 19 minutes, with Gerard Moreno firing a second into the bottom corner in the 54th minute.

Sergio Leon’s header after 73 minutes set up a tense finale but Unai Emery’s side saw out the closing stages.

Sevilla dropped points after they were held to a 1-1 draw at rivals Real Betis and are fifth, although with two matches in hand over Villarreal.

Betis were missing players, including captain Joaquin, following positive Covid-19 tests, and found themselves behind when Sevilla substitute Youssef En-Nesyri helped set up Suso to break the deadlock early in the second half.

The home side, though, were soon level when Sergio Canales equalised with a penalty in the 53rd minute.

Betis then had the chance to go in front with 15 minutes left, but this time Sevilla goalkeeper Bono saved Nabil Fekir’s spot-kick.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Shon Weissman’s goal late in the first half was enough to give Real Valladolid a 1-0 win at Getafe.

RB Leipzig moved to the top of the Bundesliga with a 1-0 win at Stuttgart.

Julian Nagelsmann’s side took full advantage of rivals Bayern Munich not being in action until Sunday as a second-half volley from midfielder Dani Olmo was enough to send them a point clear.

Bayer Leverkusen had earlier missed the chance to keep up the pressure on the leaders after they lost 2-1 at Eintracht Frankfurt.

Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba scores an own goal

Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba diverted the ball into his own net (Michael Probst/AP)

Nadiem Amiri had put the visitors in front after 10 minutes with a fantastic touch and turn followed by a clever backheel finish through the legs of Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp.

The home side, though, equalised in the 22nd minute through a chip from Amin Younes – and turned the match around when Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba diverted a low cross into his own net.

Hertha Berlin inflicted another defeat on bottom club Schalke after cruising to a 3-0 win at the Olympiastadion as new head coach Christian Gross lost his first match in charge.

On-loan Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi curled in the opener from inside the box after 36 minutes.

Colombian forward Jhon Cordoba added another early in the second half and substitute Krzysztof Piatek wrapped things up late on.

Breel Embolo’s goal just before the hour proved enough to give Borussia Monchengladbach a 1-0 victory at Arminia Bielefeld and end their four-match Bundesliga winless run.

In-form Freiburg made it four straight league victories after they ran out 3-1 winners at Hoffenheim.

Baptiste Santamaria put the Black Forest club ahead after seven minutes with an angled finish before Vincenzo Grifo scored his seventh Bundesliga goal of the season from the penalty spot in the 34th minute.

A photo posted by on

It was 3-0 just before half-time when defender Kasim Adams bundled a cross into the Hoffenheim net for an own goal. Ihlas Bebou scored a consolation goal for the home side in the 58th minute.

Augsburg left it late to win 1-0 at Cologne when defender Iago tapped home from close range in the 77th minute.

Union Berlin won 2-0 at struggling Werder Bremen with first-half goals from Sheraldo Becker (12) and Taiwo Awoniyi (28).

Latest in
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola holds aloft the Premier League trophy at the Etihad in May 2023.
Quiz! Can you name every Premier League champion... in just 90 seconds?
Newcastle United's Dan Burn battles with Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on February 26, 2025.
I watch every football game on this TV - and it's been discounted by £210 in the Amazon Spring Deal Days
Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi of Spain thanks the fans during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Netherlands and Spain at De Kuip on March 20, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Arsenal report: Martin Zubimendi 'very close' to shock Real Madrid move
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim reacts at full-time of the Premier League match against Arsenal at Old Trafford on 9 March, 2025
Manchester United make exciting teenager 'top priority' this summer: report
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool set for major PSR hit ahead of the summer: report
The current logo used for the Premier League
Surprise sponsor 'in talks' with the Premier League over multi-million pound deal: report
Latest in News
Newcastle United's Dan Burn battles with Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on February 26, 2025.
I watch every football game on this TV - and it's been discounted by £210 in the Amazon Spring Deal Days
Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi of Spain thanks the fans during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Netherlands and Spain at De Kuip on March 20, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Arsenal report: Martin Zubimendi 'very close' to shock Real Madrid move
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim reacts at full-time of the Premier League match against Arsenal at Old Trafford on 9 March, 2025
Manchester United make exciting teenager 'top priority' this summer: report
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool set for major PSR hit ahead of the summer: report
The current logo used for the Premier League
Surprise sponsor 'in talks' with the Premier League over multi-million pound deal: report
Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho could still leave the club this month
'Alejandro Garnacho has let his family down. He might be immature but he is not young anymore, it's a massive disappointment that he is not performing - he just seems like a Ronaldo fanboy' Ex Manchester United star launches astonishing rant at winger