MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid had two men sent off in their 2-0 home loss to Celta Vigo on Sunday, falling further behind Spanish league leaders Barcelona.
Madrid conceded a goal early in the second half, with Fran García and Alvaro Carreras receiving red cards, handing them their first loss in a competitive game of the season at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Williot Swedberg scored for the visitors in the 54th minute with a wonderful flick from near the penalty spot.
Madrid lost Garcia for a second yellow card in the 64th minute and Carreras in stoppage time. Shortly after Madrid were reduced to nine men, Svedberg sealed the victory for Celta.
Madrid’s only loss in the league this season was Heavy defeat at Atlético Madrid In September. That too lost to liverpool In a Champions League match in November.
Sunday’s setback leaves Xabi Alonso’s side four points behind Barcelona. Catalan club wins 5-3 Real Betis Saturday. Madrid remain just one point behind third-placed Villarreal, who still have a game in hand.
Madrid had chances to equalize through both Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappé, but they failed to capitalize.
Madrid defender Eder Militao was forced to leave the game in the first half due to injury.
Celta moved up to 10th place with their second win in three league games.
Goalkeeper’s mistake
Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga had an unforgettable afternoon for Girona, who lost 3-0 at home to Elche.
The Argentine goalkeeper’s mistakes led to two goals for Elche, one of which was when he tried to send the ball to a defender and passed the ball straight to an opponent in the area. Earlier, he had missed a routine save on a diagonal shot from his near post.
Gazzaniga also had a nightmare in Girona’s opening league game, losing 3-1 to Rayo Vallecano after a blunder gave him a goal and a penalty, which led to him being sent off.
Girona are in 18th place and within the relegation zone, having won just one of their last six competitive matches.
Elche, who had not won seven consecutive league games, moved up to ninth place.
Espanyol wins again
Roberto Fernandes converted a penalty kick in the first half, and fifth-placed Espanyol defeated Rayo Vallecano 1-0, securing their third consecutive league win.
Rayo, in 12th place, played with 10 men from 64th place after Unai López received a red card. Espanyol’s Tyris Dolan was sent off in the 87th minute.
Rayo has not won five consecutive league games.
Valencia’s late equalizer
15th place Valencia drew 1-1 at home with 13th place Sevilla, with Hugo Duro scoring in the third minute of stoppage time.
Sevilla, who had not won in three league games in a row, went ahead with an own goal from Cesar Tarrega in the 58th minute.
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