Real Madrid CF Crush Celta Vigo 4-1 in LaLiga Thriller

Real Madrid CF continued their impressive start to the LaLiga season with a convincing 4-1 win over RC Celta de Vigo at the Balaídos Stadium on Saturday.

The visitors scored four goals in the second half, with Karim Benzema, Luka Modrić, Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde finding the net. Celta's consolation goal came from Santi Mina in the 86th minute.

The first half was a tight affair, with both teams creating chances but failing to break the deadlock. Celta had a penalty appeal turned down in the 18th minute, when Nacho appeared to handle the ball inside the box. Real Madrid also had a goal disallowed in the 33rd minute, when Benzema was ruled offside after tapping in a cross from Gareth Bale.

The game changed in the 54th minute, when Real Madrid were awarded a penalty after Joseph Aidoo fouled Benzema in the box. The French striker stepped up and converted the spot-kick, giving Real Madrid the lead. Three minutes later, Modrić doubled the advantage with a stunning strike from outside the box, which left Matías Dituro with no chance.

Celta tried to respond, but Real Madrid were ruthless on the counter-attack. In the 70th minute, Modrić turned provider for Vinicius Junior, who slotted the ball past Dituro to make it 3-0. Valverde added a fourth goal in the 80th minute, after a neat one-two with Benzema.

Celta managed to pull one back in the late stages of the game, when Mina headed in a cross from Hugo Mallo. However, it was too little too late for the hosts, who suffered their first defeat of the season.

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti praised his team's performance and singled out Modrić for his influential role. "Modrić is immortal, his goal changed the game," Ancelotti said after the match. "We worked the ball well out from the back and the transitions were spectacular," he added.

The win puts Real Madrid on top of the LaLiga table with six points from two games, level with Rayo Vallecano and Valencia. Celta are in 16th place with one point from two games. Real Madrid will face Alavés at home in their next game on August 27, while Celta will travel to Getafe on August 28.