Celta Vigo 1-4 Real Madrid: Modric dazzles as Los Blancos win again

Real Madrid began life without Casemiro with a resounding 4-1 win at Celta Vigo as they made it two wins out of two in LaLiga. 

Luka Modric, 37 next month, starred at Balaidos, scoring one of the four Madrid goals, with Karim Benzema, Vinicius Jr. and Fede Valverde also on target. 

Celta had earlier levelled through Iago Aspas’ penalty and while they will feel the scoreline flattered Madrid, it could have been worse if Eden Hazard did not miss a late penalty. 

Los Blancos already find themselves at the top of LaLiga at this early stage after two wins from two, while Celta have one point from their opening two fixtures. 

Madrid’s build-up to the match was hampered by the departure of midfielder Casemiro, who joined Manchester United this week. 

However, Carlo Ancelotti’s side showed there is life without the Brazilian in Vigo, with Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga both starting alongside Modric, with Toni Kroos also absent. 

Tchouaméni, an €80 million summer signing from Monaco, was particularly good and will be the major benefactor of Casemiro’s move to England. 

Celta had started brightly but they fell behind when VAR picked up a handball by Renato Tapia and Benzema scored from the spot. 

The hosts soon levelled through a penalty of their own, Aspas converting after Eder Militao’s handball. 

Celta were once again the more lively team after equalising but the game swung just before the break when Modric scored a beauty from 20 yards. 

Vinicius added the third on the counterattack in the second half after Celta switched off while appealing for a penalty at the other end. 

Valverde capped the win with a fine finish late on and there was still time for Hazard, just off the bench, to miss a penalty after Benzema had generously handed him the ball.