MADRID (AFP) - A stunning strike by Luka Modric helped Real Madrid on their way to a 4-1 victory at Celta Vigo on Saturday as the reigning Spanish champions made it two wins from two in La Liga this season.
Modric curled home from outside the box just before half-time to put Carlo Ancelotti’s side back in front after Karim Benzema’s early penalty had been cancelled out by Iago Aspas, who converted a spot-kick at the other end.
Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde added further goals in the second half while Eden Hazard had a late penalty saved as Madrid built on their La Liga season-opening 2-1 win at Almeria and joined Real Betis and Osasuna on six points at the top of the fledgling standings.
“He is a fantastic leader for us. He scored the most important goal of the game because he put us back ahead and after that the game was a bit more simple for us,” Ancelotti told Onda Cero radio of Modric, who received an ovation from the home crowd in Galicia.
“That is something very special, when fans of other teams acknowledge you and applaud you. It’s lovely,” the Croatian told Real Madrid TV.
Real took the lead inside the opening quarter of an hour at Balaidos, Benzema slotting in a penalty after the referee penalized Celta’s Peruvian midfielder Renato Tapia for handball following a VAR review.
Yet Celta won a penalty of their own midway through the first half as Eder Militao blocked a Goncalo Paciencia header with his arm, and veteran striker Aspas -- who scored 18 times last season -- made no mistake from the spot.
Franco Cervi then crashed a shot just wide as Celta threatened to go in front against a Real side playing their first game since agreeing to sell midfielder Casemiro to Manchester United.
However, Modric was back in the starting line-up and made it 2-1 three minutes before the interval, collecting possession in space 25 metres from goal and advancing before curling a tremendous shot high into the net from the edge of the D.
Real’s class told after the break, as Modric sent Vinicius away to round goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin and slot in the visitors’ third goal in the 56th minute.