Celta Vigo walked into the Santiago Bernabéu and silenced it. On December 7, 2025, Real Madrid were beaten 2-0 at home, finishing the match with nine men after two red cards turned a tense game into a shock collapse. Williot Swedberg scored both goals for the visitors, one early in the second half and another in stoppage time, to seal a result that will echo through La Liga and Real Madrid’s season.

It wasn’t just the scoreline. It was the manner of the defeat. Real Madrid were heavy favorites. They had Thibaut Courtois back in goal and the firepower of Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé up front. But those names didn’t translate into control, and when discipline cracked, Celta Vigo punished the chaos.

Shock at the Bernabéu: Swedberg Strikes, Real Madrid Falter

The contest had a tight, cagey first half feel before Celta Vigo landed their first blow near the hour. Swedberg’s opener in the 53rd minute put pressure on Real Madrid to chase the game. It also exposed a team already struggling to find rhythm in attack and clarity in defense.

As Real Madrid pushed, the match tilted further away. A red card to Fran García in the 64th minute changed the balance completely. Reduced to ten men, and later to nine, Madrid’s structure broke. Celta stayed calm, kept the ball moving, and waited for their moments. Swedberg’s second, in the 90+3rd minute, rewarded that patience and secured a famous away win.

“Madrid lost their heads before they lost the match.”

Discipline Unravels: Two Red Cards and a Collapse

Two dismissals will dominate the Real Madrid post-mortem. Playing down a man is hard. Playing down two is a nightmare at this level. The first red of the night, shown to Fran García at 64 minutes, forced Real Madrid into emergency mode. The second only deepened the crisis and left Celta Vigo with space, time, and confidence to close the game out.

These weren’t just cards; they were turning points. The loss of control frustrated Real Madrid’s players and bench, and it changed the tone of the night from a tough contest to a damage-limitation exercise. That spiral is what will worry the club most. It wasn’t only about bad luck or one call. It was about a team unable to keep its cool.

Courtois Keeps the Score Respectable

Despite the defeat, Thibaut Courtois still had a say. The Belgian made several important saves, including a stop on a long-range effort from Celta’s Iago Aspas. Without Courtois’ reach and reading of the game, the damage could have arrived earlier.

But even a top-class goalkeeper can only stem the tide for so long when the team in front is stretched and short-handed. Celta Vigo sensed that, recycled possession, and forced Real Madrid to run late, tired yards. The late second goal was as much about game control as it was about finishing.

“Credit to Celta: they stayed calm while Madrid chased shadows.”

Swedberg’s Brace: Composure and Timing

Williot Swedberg will claim the headlines, and rightly so. His 53rd-minute strike changed the mood in the stadium. His 90+3rd-minute finish decided it. Scoring at those moments matters. The first asked Real Madrid to take risks; the second punished the gaps those risks created.

Swedberg’s two-goal haul is also a reminder that La Liga often swings on detail. One clean pass, one calm touch, one shot taken early — that’s the difference between a plucky away point and a stunning away win. Celta Vigo made those details count.

Real Madrid’s Attack Stalls Despite Star Power

On paper, Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé should terrify defenses. On this night, Real Madrid couldn’t find the runs or the final ball to match the names. The team struggled defensively and in attack, a rare but costly combination at home. Once the red cards arrived, any planned late surge turned into survival.

Big-game forward lines depend on service, spacing, and patience. None of that was stable for Madrid. A day like this will raise questions with fans and inside the dressing room. Why was the structure so easy to unsettle? Where was the leadership when the temperature rose?

“Stars on the team sheet mean nothing if the plan falls apart.”

Xabi Alonso’s Verdict: Anger, Refereeing Frustrations, and a Demand to React

After the match, Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso did not hide his feelings. He called the performance and the result disappointing, saying it was neither the match nor the outcome the club wanted. He voiced frustration at the refereeing and the two red cards, signaling that the decisions played a major role in the team’s downfall.

But Alonso also looked forward. The coach said the team was “angry” and stressed the need to improve quickly ahead of a crucial Champions League game against Manchester City. The message was clear: channel the anger into a response. Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo cannot become a template for the weeks ahead.

The Bigger Picture: Leadership, Cohesion, and La Liga Momentum

One bad result doesn’t define a season, but it can reveal real issues. This loss highlights concerns that go beyond a missed chance or an unlucky break. Discipline needs tightening. Leadership must be louder on the pitch when the game grows tense. And the balance between attack and defense needs work, especially when chasing a deficit.

At home, in La Liga, Real Madrid dropped valuable points against a lower-ranked opponent. That’s the kind of slip that puts pressure on every remaining fixture. It also places added weight on the Champions League tie to come. The best teams bounce back fast. Madrid must show they can.

What Comes Next

The first test comes quickly. Manchester City awaits in Europe, and that is not a stage that forgives sloppy details or poor discipline. Alonso’s call for a strong reaction is not just about talking. It’s about solving the gaps exposed by Celta Vigo: focus under pressure, control in midfield, and patience in the final third.

Real Madrid have the talent. They must now show the temperament. Celta Vigo showed what calm execution looks like. Madrid must match that standard if they want to steady their La Liga charge and stay on track in Europe.

For Celta Vigo, this is a win to savor. For Real Madrid, it’s a wake-up call delivered loudly, at home, and at the worst possible time.