And finally it came. RC Celta added their first victory against Levante in a match in which they went from strength to strength. Iago Aspas opened the scoring, Dituro kept the sky blue advantage with an outstanding penalty save and Brais Méndez certified the victory with a wonderful goal to enjoy repeated over and over again.
A first half with practically no danger from both teams. The best chance for Celta came from Iago Aspas, who received a good ball inside the Levante area after an outstanding pressure from Fran Beltrán on the rival defender. Aspas took his time to get his leg together, enough time for the home defense to prevent the sky blue striker’s shot.
Coudet made the first changes at halftime. Nolito and Denis Suárez came on for Tapia and Cervi. In the early stages of the second half, Levante had the clearest chance of the match so far. Roger Martí shot just three meters from the goal line, but his shot went over the crossbar, well wide.
Levante’s forgiveness had serious consequences. In the 66th minute, after a serious error in the ball’s exit by the local team, RC Celta mounted a lethal counterattack finished by the left foot of Iago Aspas with his first touch, with absolute quality.
The Vigo team is not used to being calm and this was not going to be the occasion either. Just a few minutes later, the referee pointed out an alleged handball by Aspas inside the Celtico area and the VAR confirmed the decision. A goalkeeper in a state of grace in penalties appeared to maintain the advantage of Coudet’s team. Dituro saved his third penalty save of the season.
The first victory of RC Celta this season was rounded off with a fantastic goal by Brais Méndez, an exhibition of the magic that the academy player possesses in his boots.
TECHNICAL SHEET
0 – RC CELTA: Dituro, Hugo Mallo, Araújo, Murillo, Galán, Tapia (Nolito, min.46), Beltrán, Brais Méndez (Okay, min.88), Cervi (Denis Suárez, min.46), Iago Aspas (Carlos Domínguez, min.77), Santi Mina.
2 – LEVANTE UD: Cárdenas, Franquesa, Róber (De Frutos, min.71), Radoja (Melero, min.71), Pepelu (Vukcevic, min.73), Roger Martí, Morales, Mustafi, Vezo, Miramón (Cantero, min.87), Martínez (Dani Gómez, min.73).
Goals: Iago Aspas (0-1, min.66), Brais Méndez (0-2, min.85).
Referee: Figueria Vázquez, from the Andalusian committee. Yellow cards for Roger Martí, Miramón, De Frutos (Levante), Tapia, Iago Aspas (RC Celta).
Field: Ciutat de València.
