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The Estadio de Balaídos in Vigo was alive with anticipation on February 6, 2026, as Celta Vigo welcomed Osasuna for a crucial La Liga showdown. The 23rd round fixture drew attention not just for its implications on the league table, but also for the storylines swirling around both squads—injuries, new signings, and the promise of high-stakes football under the Friday night lights.
Leading up to the match, Celta Vigo found themselves in a bit of a rut. Despite a strong December and early January, their form had dipped with three consecutive games without a win, including a goalless draw against Getafe that saw them muster just 0.26 expected goals. Yet, hope was far from lost. The Galicians had enjoyed a rare week of uninterrupted preparation, and their home record was formidable: four straight wins at Balaídos. The home crowd’s energy was expected to play a pivotal role, and the squad, managed by Claudio Giráldez, was eager to rediscover its attacking spark.
Squad news added intrigue. Celta’s winter transfer window was a mixed bag—new signing Álvaro Núñez was sidelined with injury, and loaned forward Bryan Zaragoza had departed for Roma. However, Fer López returned on a temporary deal, offering a familiar face up front. Williot Swedberg, whose two-goal performance at the Santiago Bernabéu in December still resonated with fans, was tipped to start on the left. Borja Iglesias, Celta’s reliable striker, remained the main threat in attack, leading betting markets as the favorite to find the net.
Osasuna arrived in Vigo buoyed by recent form and a sense of momentum. The visitors, under the guidance of Alessio Lisci, had climbed to ninth place in La Liga, just behind Celta. They were unbeaten in their last four league matches and had accumulated seven points from their previous three games. Ante Budimir, the Croatian striker, was in red-hot form, having scored four goals in that span and establishing himself as the focal point of Osasuna’s attack. The team’s prowess on set pieces was the talk of the league—12 goals from dead-ball situations, the best tally in La Liga.
Yet Osasuna faced significant challenges. The midfield was depleted, with Lucas Torró suspended after a fifth yellow card and Jon Moncayola sidelined due to illness. Iker Benito was out for the season with a torn ACL. The January transfer window had brought reinforcements: Javi Galán from Atlético Madrid, who had quickly cemented his spot at left-back, and Raúl Moro from Ajax, a promising winger looking for a fresh start. Víctor Muñoz, a young midfielder, was another bright spot, having impressed in recent outings and earning praise for his dynamic play.
As the teams took to the pitch, anticipation was high. Celta lined up with Radu in goal, a backline of Rodriguez, Starfelt, Alonso, and Carreira, and a midfield featuring Roman, Moriba, and Mingueza. López, Swedberg, and Iglesias led the attack. Osasuna countered with Herrera in goal; Rosier, Boyomo, Catena, and Galán in defense; a reshuffled midfield of Muñoz, Oroz, and Gomez; and a front trio of Rubén García, Moro, and Budimir.
The match began at a frenetic pace, but it was Osasuna who struck first. In the first half, Ante Budimir rose highest to meet a cross from Raúl Moro, heading home to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. Celta, undeterred, pressed forward, but Osasuna’s defense held firm. The first half ended with Osasuna ahead, and the home supporters urging their team on for a response.
After the break, the drama intensified. Celta’s persistence paid off when a VAR review awarded them a penalty for a handball by Alejandro Catena. Borja Iglesias stepped up and coolly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner, leveling the score at 1-1 and igniting the Balaídos faithful. The momentum seemed to shift, with Celta pushing for a winner and Osasuna looking to exploit spaces on the counter.
The decisive moment came late in the second half. Osasuna won a set piece—a scenario where they had excelled all season. Alejandro Catena rose to meet the delivery, heading the ball across goal for Raúl García, who finished from close range to restore Osasuna’s lead at 2-1. The visitors’ bench erupted, knowing how precious those points could be in the race for European spots.
The final minutes were frantic. Celta threw everything forward, with Iago Aspas and Ferran Jutglà coming close to equalizing. Sergio Herrera, Osasuna’s goalkeeper, made crucial saves to preserve the lead. Eight minutes of added time were announced, but Osasuna’s defense, marshaled by Catena and Rosier, stood tall. The referee’s whistle signaled the end: Osasuna had pulled off a memorable 2-1 victory on the road.
Statistically, the match was as tight as expected. Both sides created chances, but Osasuna’s efficiency on set pieces and clinical finishing made the difference. Celta’s xG woes continued, and their inability to capitalize on home advantage snapped their four-game winning streak at Balaídos. For Osasuna, the win marked only their second away triumph of the season and extended their unbeaten run to five matches.
Post-match, the analysis centered on Osasuna’s resilience and tactical discipline. “We knew set pieces could be decisive, and the lads executed perfectly,” said Lisci, reflecting on his team’s strength in dead-ball situations. For Celta, the disappointment was palpable. “We had our chances, but it just didn’t fall for us tonight,” admitted Giráldez, who will look to regroup his squad ahead of the next round.
With this result, Osasuna closed the gap on Celta in the standings, intensifying the battle for European qualification. Both teams will now turn their focus to the upcoming fixtures, knowing that every point is vital as the La Liga season enters its final stretch. For the fans at Balaídos, it was a night of high drama, missed opportunities, and—ultimately—a reminder of just how unpredictable and thrilling Spanish football can be.
