Celta Vigo strengthened their push for European qualification with a gritty 1-0 victory over Atlético Madrid, ending a three-match losing streak away from home in the process.
Despite their heartbreaking exit from the UEFA Champions League semi-finals earlier in the week, Atlético started brightly and dominated the opening exchanges at the Metropolitano.
The visitors were pinned back for long spells, forcing Celta into a compact defensive shape as they struggled to gain any meaningful control.
Ademola Lookman caused problems with his movement and energy in attack, while Álex Baena came closest to opening the scoring early on after rattling the woodwork in the 12th minute.
Former Barcelona duo Ilaix Moriba and Óscar Mingueza tried to help Celta settle into possession, but the hosts continued to dominate territorially, with every clearance quickly returning into danger areas.
Atlético’s first effort on target arrived just before the half-hour mark through Antoine Griezmann, but clear-cut chances remained scarce in a contest that lacked intensity for large periods before the break.
The hosts resumed the second half on the front foot, with Alexander Sørloth testing the goalkeeper soon after the restart, while Lookman wasted a promising opportunity from close range moments later.
However, against the run of play, Celta struck decisively. A clever pass from Williot Swedberg split the Atlético defence open, allowing Borja Iglesias to produce a brilliant lob over stranded goalkeeper Jan Oblak for the game’s only goal, Celta’s first shot on target.
Atlético pushed forward in search of an equaliser late on, but Celta goalkeeper Ionuț Radu preserved the lead with a superb full-stretch save to deny a powerful late header.
The result handed Atlético only their third home league defeat of the season, while Celta kept alive their outside hopes of catching Real Betis in the race for the final UEFA Champions League qualification spot.
