Modric becomes Real Madrid’s oldest player and passes for winner at Celta Vigo

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Luka Modric turned the oldest participant in Actual Madrid’s historical past whereas additionally delivering the game-winning help in a 2-1 victory at Celta Vigo in La Liga on Saturday.

At 39 years, 40 days previous, the previous Ballon d’Or winner surpassed the milestone held by Ferenc Puskas since 1966 by 4 days. Modric went on as a second-half substitute after Celta pulled degree.

The Croatia midfielder instantly made an affect when he threaded a through-ball ahead for Vinícius Júnior to attain the 66th-minute winner at Balaidos Stadium.

“It was a hard-fought sport,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti mentioned. “However we knew hold in there and bought three necessary factors due to a fantastic go by Modric. Luka at all times offers us one thing.”

Kylian Mbappé put the guests forward with a long-range strike within the twentieth, just for Williot Swedberg to equalize within the 51st from a cross by Óscar Mingueza.

That set the scene for Ancelotti to look to his bench and name on Modric to set issues proper for the defending champion.

When requested about Modric’s legacy with the membership, Ancelotti mentioned: “There’s nothing else to say a couple of unbelievable sport; he is a good skilled and with a personality. Actual Madrid has been, and is, fortunate to have him.”

Modric has probably the most titles within the historical past of Actual Madrid with 27, together with six Champions League titles and 4 Spanish leagues.

This victory was not a simple one, nonetheless.

Celta took it to the defending champions. Thibaut Courtois needed to save photographs by Swedberg and Jonathan Bamba, and Celta substitute Anastasios Douvikas went inches from grabbing an extra-time equalizer.

“We go away with a bittersweet feeling,” Celta midfielder Fran Beltran mentioned. “We took the sport at Actual Madrid and have been higher than them in stretches.”

Ancelotti’s facet stayed unbeaten by way of 10 rounds in La Liga and pulled degree with Barcelona earlier than it hosts Sevilla on Sunday.

Madrid began a busy week with a house sport towards Borussia Dortmund within the Champions League on Tuesday earlier than it hosts Barcelona within the first clasico of the season subsequent weekend.

Williams double

Iñaki Williams scored twice as Athletic Bilbao rolled to a 4-1 win at dwelling over the promoted Espanyol.

Spain striker Mikel Oyarzabal scored with a header for Actual Sociedad to beat Girona 1-0, whereas Actual Betis ahead Chimy Avila struck to safe a 2-1 win over Osasuna, his earlier membership.

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