The Turkey midfielder and France forward combined to bail Carlo Ancelotti's side out as they stuck around in the title race

Real Madrid stumbled to three thoroughly undeserved points on Sunday as Arda Guler and Kylian Mbappe's individual quality bailed them out in a 3-2 home win over Celta Vigo.

Guler seemed, for long stretches, the only player who could make things happen while his Madrid team-mated strolled around in his orbit. Earlier this week, Carlo Ancelotti tipped the winger for a more central role going forward – and it was easy to see why here as Guler danced around, finding all of the right angles and pockets of space. His wonderful left foot delivered the opener, too, as he provided na curled effort into the top corner after 33 minutes following a painfully languid opening half an hour for Madrid.

A moment of magic from Mbappe made it 2-0, as Frenchman dashed through on goal before battering the ball into the top corner. He added a second shortly after half-time, too, when he slotted past a stranded goalkeeper after Guler's angled through ball.

Poor defending saw Madrid lose control of the game in the final 20 minutes, however, as Lucas Vazquez's sloppy clearance off the line handed Javi Rodriguez a tap-in before Celta grabbed another when Iago Aspas found Williot Swedberg, who finished calmly.

A Celta equaliser seemed inevitable as Aspas orchestrated in the final third, but it never quite came off for the visitors, and Madrid secured a victory that they didn't really deserve and that keeps them four points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona ahead of next week's crucial Clasico.

GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from Santiago Bernabeu…

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Thibaut Courtois (6/10):

Made a couple of great saves in the first half. Couldn't do anything about either goal.

Lucas Vazquez (5/10):

At fault for the first goal after a pretty miserable clearance off the line. Madrid were very vulnerable down his side.

Aurelien Tchouameni (5/10):

Rock solid at the back for an hour and handled the strong Iglesias with ease. Then had to dig in as chaos unfolded around him

Raul Asencio (6/10):

An agreeable 65 minutes before he was replaced. Madrid were much worse without him on the pitch.

Fran Garcia (6/10):

Scampered up and down the left, won his tackles, and was pretty much the only Madrid player to equip himself well throughout.

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Dani Ceballos (5/10):

Controlled the tempo for the first half and helped hold down the middle of the pitch. Went missing after the break, and Madrid suffered as a result.

Federico Valverde (5/10):

Admittedly uncomfortable in the No.6 position where he has otherwise been impactful so far this season. Looked tired at times.

Jude Bellingham (6/10):

Assisted Mbappe's first goal, but was otherwise lacking. Complained a lot, and should have closed down Aspas ahead of the Celta second.

Arda Guler (8/10):

Wonderful throughout. Completed all of his passes in the first half, scored the opening goal, assisted the third. Looked like the only one who wanted to defend at times, too.

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Kylian Mbappe (7/10):

Barely touched the ball, whinged, and then battered one into the top corner. Added a lovely second. His individual quality is undeniable.

Vinicius Jr (5/10):

Pretty much an absentee. Made a few smart runs, but his only real actions were to fire high or wide.

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Jacobo Ramon (5/10):

Had a real tough time after being brought on, with Celta scoring twice after his introduction.

Luka Modric (N/A):

Barely touched the ball and was uncharacteristically quiet.

Brahim Diaz (N/A):

Not really the game for him – although he did put in a shift.

Carlo Ancelotti (5/10):

Yikes. Madrid were exploitable throughout, and didn't really deserve the 3-2 here. He might be relieved to be on his way out.