It was a struggle, but Celta was able to save one point at the very difficult stadium of San Mames thanks to a goal by home-grown player Brais Méndez in injury time, his first goal with Celta’s first team. It was an afternoon of first-time scorers. At the 55 minute mark, after a great number of opportunities for the Bilbao players, Unai Núñez picked up a deflected ball of the post to make his debut as a scorer with Athletic.
Besides that goal by Núñez, the home team was not able to consolidate their dominance of the match in any of their numerous scoring chances. The substitutions in the final stretch gave Celta fresh ideas after having been dormant most of the match. The match change completely and Celta resurged. In injury time, after a great team play, Celta scored through a great one touch volley on behalf of academy player Brais Mendez, drawing the match.
But the match was not finished yet, soon after Hugo Mallo smashed the ball against the post and then Tucu scored off-sides. Athletic Club players claimed penalty on at least two plays, but there was no call on behalf of the referee. Celta plays next week Sevilla FC (Saturday, 16:15 GMT+1, Balaídos), a match in which Maxi Gómez cannot play because he has a sanction due to accumulation of yellow cards.
GAME SHEET
1-ATHLETIC: Kepa, Balenziaga (Lekue, min.80), Íñigo Martínez, San José, Iturraspe, Williams, Núñez, Susaeta, De Marcos, Raúl García (Beñat, min.79), Córdoba (Aduriz, min.71).
1-CELTA: Sergio, Hugo Mallo, Cabral, Sergi Gómez, Jonny, Lobotka, Radoja (Brais, min.73), Wass (Tucu Hernández, min.63), Iago Aspas, Maxi Gómez, Boyé (Sisto, min.63).
Goals: Unai Núñez (1-0, min.55); Brais Méndez (1-1, min.91).
Referee: Del Cerro Grande, Madrid committee. Yellow cards: Williams, Íñigo Martínez, Unai Núñez (Athletic); Maxi Gómez (Celta).
Stadium: San Mamés.
Observations: Maxi Gómez saw his 5th yellow card and will not play against Sevilla due to sanction.
