Abanca Balaídos held a moving minute of silence in memory of Celta’s member number 3 before the start of the match. With that respect still in the air, a game began that ended in a shared point between Celta and Atlético de Madrid (1-1) in the 8th round of LALIGA EA SPORTS. The Celeste team earned a point against a strong opponent on a day that also marked a special moment for their captain, Iago Aspas, who equaled Manolo “O Gran Capitán” as the player with the most official matches in the club’s history, 533.
The match started with an unexpected blow for the Vigo side. In the 6th minute, Carl Starfelt unfortunately deflected a red-and-white cross into his own goal, giving Atlético the lead. Simeone’s team controlled the early stages, managing the pace and possession, but the story changed just before halftime. In the 40th minute, Clément Lenglet was sent off with a second yellow card, leaving the Madrid side with ten players and opening the way for a completely different second half.
After the break, Celta took the initiative. The team dominated possession, driven by fans who never stopped encouraging them. Their persistence paid off in the 68th minute, when Iago Aspas, always in the right place, capitalized on a rebound inside the area after a goalkeeper’s intervention to score the equalizer. With the score at 1-1, Celta maintained pressure until the final whistle, looking for a second goal that never came. Atlético, organized in defense, held firm with ten men and relied on an inspired Oblak, who made several decisive saves to prevent the comeback.
The Vigo side will now face a league break with positive feelings and a solidarity event ahead. This Wednesday, October 8, Abanca Balaídos will host the charity match “Xuntos contra o lume” before Celta returns to league action against Real Sociedad.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
1 – Celta: Radu; Javi Rodríguez, Starfelt, Marcos Alonso; Carreira (Moriba 84’), Damián, Beltrán (Hugo Álvarez 55’), Mingueza; Swedberg (Bryan Zaragoza 63’), Jutgla (Aspas 63’) and Borja Iglesias (Durán 84’).
1 – Atlético de Madrid: Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Lenglet, Hancko; Giuliano (Molina 82’), Koke (Gallagher 77’), Barrios, Nico González; Griezmann (Galán 46’) (Baena 77’) and Julián Álvarez (Sorloth 82’).
Goals: 0-1 (Starfelt OG 7’); 1-1 (Aspas 68’).
Referee: César Soto (Rioja Committee). Booked Borja Iglesias (65’) for Celta, Baena (78’) for Atlético, and sent off Lenglet for a second yellow card (25’, 40’).
Attendance: Match corresponding to Round 8 of LALIGA EA SPORTS played at Abanca Balaídos before 20,877 spectators.
