Merit and madness can define a perfect afternoon at Abanca Balaídos, where RC Celta delivered a true masterclass in afouteza and managed to take all three points from a game to remember. A day that began in a very special way, with all Celta fans turning out to pay tribute to As Celtas for the well-deserved direct promotion they had achieved just a few days ago. The entire team and coaching staff were greeted by a warm ovation from a packed stadium.
Thus began the penultimate home match of the season, where Claudio Giráldez’s team took to the field with a completely new lineup and eager to show that they will give their all in these final matches. The Celta team began by dominating, opening the scoring in the 19th minute with a stunning goal from Ilaix Moriba, who was very active in the box and constantly threatened the Sevilla defense until he managed to beat the opposing goalkeeper. A goal that put Sevilla in trouble, as they struggled to find a way through the sky-blue wall. However, on the stroke of halftime, the referee awarded a penalty for Marcos Alonso’s handball inside the box. A decision that, after consulting with VAR, would result in the Madrid defender being sent off with a straight red card, leaving the sky-blue team with ten men and the entire crowd bewildered. Sevilla took advantage of the opportunity to level the score thanks to Gudelj’s penalty from the eleven-yard line.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, if anyone had any doubts about the true meaning of “afouteza,” they only need to pay attention to what the next 45 minutes of the match would bring. Because after some tactical adjustments at halftime, Claudio Giráldez’s team returned to the pitch as if nothing had happened. And so it was. The second half was a true ode to courage. RC Celta didn’t retreat; on the contrary, they continued to pursue the ball, fearlessly dominating the match and creating dangerous chances. With a well-established defense and Vicente Guaita saving two clear chances for the Andalusian team, the sky blues showed they would seize the opportunity to keep dreaming.
And that opportunity would come in the 65th minute, when Óscar Mingueza, with a shot from a near-angle from the right wing, made it 2-1. A goal that transformed the pent-up tension into euphoria and blew up Abanca Balaídos.
As the match entered its final stretch, Sevilla found themselves overwhelmed by an RC Celta that was enjoying itself and maintained its faith until the very last minute. A final minute saw Borja Iglesias appear, having just entered the field, and gift us with an exquisite chip to score the third goal that seemed to seal the match. The explosion of euphoria was already uncontrollable, and despite Kike Salas reducing the deficit in the final moments of added time, Celta’s fans were already celebrating in the stands, an outburst of joy joined by the players of RC Celta and As Celtas to celebrate a heroic victory that keeps the dream of hope alive.
It was precisely with this joy that the team now faces another matchday in just three days: next Tuesday, May 13th at 8:00 PM, when Claudio Giráldez’s team will face Real Sociedad at the Reale Arena.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
3 – RC Celta: Vicente Guaita; Yoel Lago, Carlos Domínguez, Marcos Alonso; Óscar Mingueza (Franco Cervi, min. 76), Ilaix Moriba, Damián Rodríguez (Fran Beltrán, min. 46), Hugo Álvarez (Borja Iglesias, min. 82); Iago Aspas (Javi Rodríguez, min. 46), Williot Swedberg (Mihailo Ristic, min. 69) and Pablo Durán (Iker Losada, min. 88).
2 – Sevilla FC: Nyland; Martínez, Badé (Isaac Romero, min. 45), Gudelj, Salas; Sánchez, Agoumé, Saúl (Ejuke, min. 84), Pedrosa (Suso, min.53); Peque (García Pascual, min. 66) and Lukebakio.
Goals: 1-0, min. 19: Ilaix Moriba. 1-1, min. 46: Gudelj (pen.). 2-1, min. 65: Óscar Mingueza. 3-1, min. 90: Borja Iglesias. 3-2, min. 98: Kike Salas.
Referee: González Fuertes (Asturian Committee). He showed a straight red card to Marcos Alonso (min. 45). He also booked Isaac Romero for Sevilla FC.
Incidents: Matchday 35 of LALIGA EA SPORTS, played at the Abanca Balaídos stadium in front of 20,281 spectators. During the pre-match break, a tribute was paid to As Celtas for their recent promotion, with Vicky Vázquez and Lara Martínez speaking on the pitch.
