Celta achieved a deserved victory over Lille OSC at Abanca Balaídos in a match defined by an early goal and the ability to hold on with one player less. A win that allows the Celts to secure a mathematical qualification for the next knockout round of the UEFA Europa League.
If there were a perfect way to start a match, this would be it. The ball had barely begun to roll when an error from the French defense allowed Borja Iglesias to launch a dangerous attack, which passed through the calm control of Iago Aspas and ended in the back of the net with a precise low shot from Williot Swedberg. It was a statement of intent: high pressing, intense pace, and a Lille side unsettled, overwhelmed, and without answers. The early injury to Nabil Bentaleb only reinforced Celta’s dominance, although the game shifted in the 29th minute with Hugo Sotelo’s straight red card. With one less player, Celta tightened up while Lille took possession, only to crash against a disciplined block and a solid defense led by Radu, always alert to maintain the advantage before halftime.
The second half confirmed the character of the Celta team, facing a Lille that continued to push forward but could not find clear paths to goal. Celta held firm with discipline, waiting for the right moment. It came in the 69th minute. A corner from Miguel Román found the head of Carl Starfelt, who rose above everyone to strike the ball with authority and make it 2-0. The goal arrived like a breath of fresh air in the middle of the siege, a deep relief for a Celta that had spent many minutes defending in the depths of its own half. Lille tried to respond, but only managed to reduce the deficit in the final moments, when Olivier Giroud finished inside the box following an assist from Soriba Diaoune.
The last minutes demanded a collective effort, based on crosses, corners, and high balls, which Celta defended with determination until the final whistle.
Twelve points, qualification secured, and another European night to remember for the Celta fans. Now, with their work done, Claudio Giráldez’s side can look ahead to their final match in Belgrade with the calm of a job well done and the ambition intact to keep growing in Europe.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
2 – Celta: Radu, Javi Rueda (Mihailo Ristic, min. 92), Javi Rodríguez, Carl Starfelt, Marcos Alonso, Óscar Mingueza (Hugo Álvarez, min. 89), Hugo Sotelo, Miguel Román, Iago Aspas (Sergio Carreira, min. 46), Borja Iglesias (Pablo Durán, min. 46) and Williot Swedberg (Jones El-Abdellaoui, min. 71).
1 – Lille OSC: Özer, Meunier (Fernández-Pardo, min. 46), Ngoy (Santos, min. 46), Alexsandro, Perraud, Broholm (Verdonk, min. 87), Mukau, Bentaleb (Mandi, min. 10), Correia (Diaoune, min. 74), Haraldsson and Giroud.
Goals: 1-0: min. 1, Swedberg. 2-0: min. 69, Starfelt. 2-1: min. 86, Giroud.
Referee: Harm Osmers (Germany). Booked Marcos Alonso, Ngoy, Óscar Mingueza, Mandi, Williot Swedberg, and Radu. Sent off Hugo Sotelo with a straight red card in the 29th minute.
Incidents: Match corresponding to the sixth round of the Europa League played at Abanca Balaídos in front of 20.015 spectators.
