Real Madrid had two players sent off in its 2-0 home defeat to Celta Vigo on Sunday and lost more ground to Spanish league leader Barcelona.
Madrid conceded early in the second half and then saw red cards for Fran García and Álvaro Carreras in its first defeat of the season at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in all competitions.
Williot Swedberg scored for the visitors with a nice flick from near the penalty spot in the 54th.
Madrid lost García with a second yellow card in the 64th and Carreras in stoppage time. Swedberg sealed Celta’s victory in a breakaway shortly after Madrid was reduced to nine players.
Madrid’s only other league loss this season was a heavy defeat at Atletico Madrid in September. It also lost at Liverpool in the league phase of the Champions League in November.
Sunday’s setback left Xabi Alonso’s team four points behind Barcelona. Barça won 5-3 at Real Betis on Saturday. Madrid is only one point ahead of third-placed Villarreal, which has a game in hand.
Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé both had good chances to equalize for Madrid but couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities.
Madrid defender Éder Militão had to leave the game in the first half because of an injury.
Celta moved to 10th place with its second win in three league games.
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