RC Celta got back to winning ways on an afternoon in which they clung on to an epic comeback against Real Betis Balompié. Claudio Giráldez’s side went from frustration to ecstasy to record their first league win of 2025 at Abanca Balaídos.
The match started with a Celta team a bit blurred and without answers against a Betis team that took advantage of this weakness to put the Celta defence in serious trouble. And they ended up doing just that as, ten minutes into the game, Antony opened the scoring with a shot from inside the box, and shortly after, from a corner, Llorente extended the Celta lead with a header that went straight to the far post. It was a double blow in just twenty minutes of play for Claudio Giráldez’s men, who were trying to contain the result while at the same time trying to find a way to get back into the game and transform the scoreline.
However, the story changed radically in the second half. RC Celta took the field with a hunger for victory and with clearer ideas. Claudio Giráldez made some changes and little by little the celestial team took control of the game. In the 62nd minute, Hugo Álvarez left a little gift on the edge of the area for Fran Beltrán who, without thinking twice, sent it straight into the back of the net, unstoppable for Adrián. Just three minutes later, Javi Rodríguez scored the equaliser and unleashed madness in the stands at Abanca Balaídos.
With the scores level again, Real Betis pressed while Celta held off the onslaught, leaving their skin and soul on the pitch. But, just when the game seemed to have been decided, Williot Swedberg appeared and, after receiving a measured assist from Sergio Carreira, pushed the ball into the back of the net to, this time, culminate an unforgettable comeback.
An important victory at home that is a much-needed boost for RC Celta, who will face Atlético de Madrid next Saturday, 15 February, at 18:30h. at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
3 – RC Celta: Vicente Guaita, Javi Rodríguez, Marcos Alonso, Carlos Domínguez, Óscar Mingueza (Sergio Carreira, min. 82), Hugo Sotelo (Jailson, min. 89), Fran Beltrán, Hugo Álvarez, Alfon (Fer López, min. 60), Iker Losada (Williot Swedberg, min. 60) and Pablo Durán (Borja Iglesias, min. 82).
2 – Real Betis: Adrián, Ortiz, Llorente, Natan, Perraud (Ricardo, min. 46), Marc Roca (Altimira, min. 58), Johnny, Antony (Lo Celso, min. 72), Isco, Jesús Rodríguez (Ez Abde, min. 72) and Bakambu (Vitor Roque, min. 58).
Goals: 0-1, min. 10: Antony. 0-2, min. 22: Llorente. 1-2, min. 63: Fran Beltrán. 2-2, min. 65: Javi Rodríguez. 3-2, min. 87: Williot Swedberg.
Referee: Busquets Ferrer (Balearic Committee). For RC Celta, yellow cards were shown to Marcos Alonso, Borja Iglesias and Fran Beltrán. For the Green and Whites, Perraud, Isco, Antony, Llorente and Vitor Roque were cautioned.
Incidents: Match corresponding to matchday 23 of the EA SPORTS LALIGA played at the Abanca Balaídos stadium in front of 22,651 spectators.
