Celta earned a point in their visit to RCD Espanyol after drawing 2-2 at the RCDE Stadium. The Celestes took the lead in the first half through Ferran Jutglà and controlled much of the game, but had to fight until the very end to salvage the draw in added time thanks to a goal from Borja Iglesias.
Claudio Giráldez’s team came out determined from the start and, after several well-worked combinations and greater presence in the opponent’s half, found the reward in the 38th minute. Ferran Jutglà, after receiving a pass from Javi Rueda, finished a well-executed team move to open the scoring. With the advantage on the scoreboard, Celta managed the remaining minutes of the first half well and went into the break in control of the game and with positive feelings, despite the home side’s push.
In the second half, the match became more open. Espanyol increased the intensity slightly and equalized in the 66th minute with a shot from Kike García. With the game wide open and the stands behind their team, Celta tried to regain the lead and even celebrated a goal by Borja Iglesias, but it was ruled offside after a VAR review. Despite the refereeing decision and a defensive error that allowed Dolan to put Espanyol ahead in the 86th minute, the Celestes kept pressing, now forced to seek a reaction in stoppage time. That reaction came in the 93rd minute, thanks to a precise backheel from Pablo Durán inside the area, allowing Borja Iglesias to score the equalizer and seal a hard-earned share of points.
Celta return to Vigo with the feeling of having deserved more in a challenging stadium. But with no time to dwell on it, the team’s focus now shifts to their next European commitment against PAOK FC, before returning to LaLiga on Sunday at 18:30 at Abanca Balaídos against RCD Mallorca.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
2 – RCD Espanyol: Dmitrovic; El Hilali, Riedel, Cabrera, Carlos Romero; Pickel (Dolan, min.56), Pol Lozano; Ngonge (Kike García, min.56), Edu Expósito (Urko, min.56), Pere Milla (Jofre, min.72) and Roberto Fernández (Terrats, min.83).
2 – Celta: Radu; Javi Rodríguez (Iago Aspas, min.87), Starfelt, Marcos Alonso; Javi Rueda (Mingueza, min.70), Miguel Román (Vecino, min.88), Fer López, Carreira; Jutglà (Ilaix Moriba, min.70), Borja Iglesias and Swedberg (Pablo Durán, min.70).
Goals: 0-1, min.38: Jutglà; 1-1, min.66: Kike García; 2-1, min.85: Dolan; 2-2, min.93: Borja Iglesias.
Referee: Cuadra Fernández (Balearic committee). Booked Cabrera (min.94).
Incidents: Matchday 24 of LALIGA EA SPORTS, played at the RCDE Stadium in front of 27,368 spectators. Both teams entered the pitch accompanied by children recovering from cancer to mark International Childhood Cancer Day, which is observed on February 15. This match also marked the debut of Matías Vecino as a Celta player.
