Celta Vigo took a major step towards securing European football for the first time in nearly ten years, grinding out a thrilling 3-2 victory over Sevilla at Estadio de Balaídos despite being reduced to 10 men.
The result leaves Sevilla still glancing nervously over their shoulders as the threat of relegation lingers.
The visitors began on the front foot, applying early pressure and forcing Celta keeper Vicente Guaita into action.
He denied Adrià Pedrosa at his near post and followed up with a well-timed grab from a powerful Ramón Martínez header.
Celta, however, gradually found their rhythm. After Orjan Nyland was called upon for a reflex save, Ilaix Moriba seized the moment.
Latching onto a precise ball from Williot Swedberg, the midfielder spun and buried a low shot into the bottom-left corner—his maiden goal for the club.
With momentum seemingly shifting, Celta looked poised to push for more. Yet, Sevilla roared back, upping the intensity.
Dodi Lukebakio nearly equalized with a well-placed header, only to be thwarted by Guaita’s agility. Their misfortune grew when Loïc Badé had to leave the field due to injury.
But in the final seconds of the first half, Sevilla’s fortunes changed. Marcos Alonso saw red for a handball on Peque’s goal-bound touch, leading to a penalty.
Nemanja Gudelj initially scored, but was asked to retake it after striking prematurely. Undeterred, he rocketed his penalty – and his first goal of the season – into the top-left corner to ensure parity at the break.
The second period started with less flair, as Celta’s offensive efforts faltered and Sevilla appeared to wait patiently for an opening.
Yet the home side struck again in the 65th minute. Fran Beltrán whipped in a high cross from the right, bypassing Pablo Durán but perfectly finding Óscar Mingueza at the far post. His finish reignited the Balaídos faithful.
As the match ticked towards full time, the pressure escalated. Guaita delivered a breathtaking stop from Kike Salas to preserve the lead, and soon after, Celta struck a decisive blow.
Iker Losada’s forward ball was poorly handled by Gudelj, and Borja Iglesias capitalized, lifting in his 10th goal of the campaign to all but seal the result.
Salas did manage a late consolation after a Guaita spill, but it wasn’t enough. The final whistle confirmed a vital win for Celta, who now remain in strong contention for European qualification.
As for Sevilla, their hopes of survival hinge on a crucial clash with Las Palmas on Tuesday—where a win would finally banish their relegation fears.
