In a stunning result that sent shockwaves across La Liga, Real Madrid were defeated 2-0 by Celta Vigo at the Santiago Bernabéu. The match on Sunday, December 7, 2025, was not just the club’s first home loss of the season; it was a historic victory for Celta, their first at the stadium in 19 years. Consequently, a night that began with high hopes for the home side ended in disarray, with Real Madrid finishing the game with only nine players.

A Historic Upset at the Bernabéu

Swedberg’s Clinical Double

The hero for the visitors was undoubtedly Williot Swedberg. The first half ended goalless, with both sides probing but unable to find a breakthrough. However, the game turned completely in the second half.

In the 53rd minute, Swedberg produced a moment of magic. He met a cross from Bryan Zaragoza with a clever flick of his heel, directing the ball past the goalkeeper to give Celta a shock lead. Later, as the game descended into chaos, Swedberg kept his cool. He sealed the historic win in stoppage time with a calm finish after rounding the keeper.

Madrid’s Meltdown: A Flurry of Red Cards

Real Madrid’s frustrations visibly boiled over as the second half progressed. The disciplinary collapse began in the 64th minute when defender Fran García received two yellow cards in just 60 seconds, resulting in his dismissal. This decision clearly unsettled the home side.

Moreover, the problems did not stop there. Key points of the collapse include:

• Álvaro Carreras Sent Off: In stoppage time, Carreras also received his marching orders for two yellow cards, with the second being for dissent.
• Bench Ejection: Even unused substitute Endrick was shown a red card for his complaints from the sidelines.
• Early Injury: Adding to the team’s troubles, key defender Éder Militão was forced off with an injury in the first half, disrupting their defensive setup.

Title Race Implications and Post-Match Reaction

This unexpected defeat has significant consequences for the La Liga title race. The loss leaves Real Madrid four points adrift of league leaders Barcelona, adding immense pressure on the club. Following the match, manager Xabi Alonso did not hide his frustration. He voiced his displeasure with the officiating, stating, “The referee’s decisions threw us off balance.”

On the other hand, Celta Vigo were jubilant. Striker Borja Iglesias praised his team’s performance, saying, “We read the game well… we played a fantastic match.” It was a well-deserved victory that moves them into 10th place in the table. Celta Vigo celebrated their historic win, a moment captured on their official club blog.

Conclusion

Ultimately, Celta Vigo’s 2-0 victory over Real Madrid will be remembered as a classic La Liga upset. A combination of clinical finishing from Williot Swedberg and a dramatic loss of discipline from the home side produced a truly memorable result. For Celta, it is a historic win to celebrate. For Real Madrid, it is a painful home defeat that serves as a major setback in their title aspirations. They must now regroup quickly before their next crucial encounter.