Celta 0-2 Athletic Club | Jornada 1, LaLiga EA Sports
Athletic Club collected three points from a difficult away assignment in Vigo, beating Celta 0-2 at Abanca Balaídos on Jornada 3 of LaLiga EA Sports. Álex Berenguer and Robert Navarro put the match beyond the hosts before the half-hour, rendering Celta's second-half recovery too little and too late.
Written by Olivia Bennett
(1h ago)
What happened?
Athletic Club defeated Celta 0-2 at Abanca Balaídos on Jornada 3 of LaLiga EA Sports, with Álex Berenguer and Robert Navarro scoring inside the opening 22 minutes.
Why it matters
The win delivers three crucial points to Athletic from an away fixture in which they were without several key players, while Celta — also short of senior figures — remain without a victory after three matches.
Live updates
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Athletic claim victory at Balaídos to take three points against Celta
Athletic Club secured all three points at Balaídos, defeating Celta in what proved to be a lively La Liga contest. The result represents a significant away victory for Athletic, who came away from the fixture with maximum points.
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Athletic's 19 second-half clearances underline defensive resolve as Celta press
Athletic demonstrated considerable defensive organisation after the interval, completing 19 clearances in the second half alone as they worked to repel Celta's advances. The visiting side accumulated 17 shots across the match in total as they pressed to improve their league position during the fixture.
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Celta raise possession to 65% after the break but cannot turn dominance into result
Celta showed a marked improvement in the second half, lifting their share of possession to 65 per cent after the interval. Across the match as a whole they held 53 per cent of the ball, though that overall territorial advantage was ultimately not enough to alter the final outcome.
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Athletic claim Primera División victory on matchday three with Berenguer and Navarro on target
Athletic secured all three points in their Primera División matchday three fixture, with Álex Berenguer and Robert Navarro both finding the net to seal the win for the Basque side.
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Athletic beat Celta 2-0 at Balaídos in Primera División
Athletic left Galicia with a comfortable 2-0 victory at Balaídos, inflicting a home defeat on Celta in the latest round of Primera División fixtures.
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Full time: Athletic win 2-0 as away side seal three points
The final whistle confirmed a 2-0 scoreline in favour of the away side, Athletic, who wrapped up a convincing victory on the road at the end of ninety minutes.
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90 mins: Jutglà wins foul; Yuri regains ball for Athletic
Minute 90: Jutglà draws a foul against Celta. Athletic recover possession through Yuri after Román's dribble is checked by an intervention from Jauregizar.
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90 mins: Berenguer drives forward; Yuri secures possession for Athletic
Minute 90: Berenguer pushes Athletic's attack forward. Gerenabarrena intervenes to break up play, allowing Yuri to win back possession for the red-and-whites.
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86 mins: Johaneko on for Athletic as Nico Williams tests Celta defence
Minute 86: Johaneko enters the fray for Athletic as a substitute. Nico Williams attempts to drive at the Celta backline, though Starfelt gets a touch to deal with the danger.
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Minute 84: Javi Rueda introduced for Celta as Nico Williams and Lago involved in key exchanges
Substitute Javi Rueda entered the pitch for Celta in the 84th minute. Nico Williams then won the ball back for Athletic, before Lago surrendered possession for the visiting side.
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Minute 82: Simón plays it long as Yuri recovers possession for Athletic after Jauregizar challenge
Goalkeeper Simón launched the ball upfield in the 82nd minute. Jauregizar intervened in the ensuing passage of play before Yuri secured possession for Athletic following an infringement.
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Minute 80: Canales wins foul as Guruzeta gets on the ball after Carreira challenge
Canales was brought down to win a foul in the 80th minute. Guruzeta subsequently took control of the ball following the incident involving Carreira.
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Minute 79: Areso restores Athletic possession after Williams and Guruzeta combine
Nico Williams played a part in the build-up before Guruzeta collected the ball in the 79th minute. Areso was on hand to recover possession and keep Athletic in control of the passage of play.
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Minute 75: Laporte and Canales keep Athletic ticking after foul on Gerenabarrena
Álvaro Núñez intervened following a foul on Gerenabarrena in the 75th minute. Athletic retained the ball through Laporte and Canales as they looked to build from the stoppage.
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Minute 74: Nico Williams introduced as Robert Navarro makes way in tactical switch
Athletic made a change in the 74th minute, introducing Nico Williams into the action. Robert Navarro was withdrawn as part of a deliberate tactical adjustment by the coaching staff.
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72nd min: Carreira wins possession back for Celta after Guruzeta foul
Celta regain control through Carreira in the 72nd minute. Berenguer carries the ball forward with a purposeful run before Rueda takes possession following a foul committed by Guruzeta, allowing the home side to reset and build from deep.
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71st min: Athletic player booked after foul on Gerenabarrena
Referee Busquets halts play in the 71st minute to award a foul in favour of Gerenabarrena. The Athletic Club player responsible for the challenge is shown a yellow card for the offence.
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67th min: Guruzeta pushes Athletic forward after Gerenabarrena interception
Gerenabarrena cuts out the attack in the 67th minute, enabling Guruzeta to drive Athletic's offensive move forward. The momentum shifts when Aspas brings the ball under control following a timely recovery by Febas.
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Minute 65: Guruzeta replaces Williams as Athletic seek attacking spark
Athletic have made an attacking change at the 65-minute mark, withdrawing Williams and introducing Guruzeta in an effort to sharpen their offensive play. Meanwhile, Aspas continues to carry a threat on the ball and remains a persistent danger for the opposition.
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Minute 62: Williams forces a save after foul on Álvarez; Aspas involved
After a foul was committed on Álvarez, Williams got a shot away from inside the penalty area, only for the goalkeeper to get down and turn it aside. Aspas subsequently picked up possession following a separate infringement by Gerenabarrena.
Athletic Club left Galicia with a polished 0-2 victory over Celta on Jornada 3 of LaLiga EA Sports, goals from Álex Berenguer and Robert Navarro in the space of two minutes either side of the 20th-minute mark effectively settling the contest long before the final whistle at Abanca Balaídos.
Goals inside 22 minutes set the tone
Berenguer opened the scoring on 20 minutes, finishing from an assist credited to Iñaki Williams to put Athletic ahead. Two minutes later Navarro doubled the advantage, converting with authority to make it 0-2. The early two-goal cushion gave Ernesto Valverde's side a platform they would not relinquish, heading into the interval in command.
Celta's second-half push falls short
The hosts, who were without Marcos Alonso through suspension and Borja Iglesias through injury, showed clear improvement after the break. Celta raised their possession to 65 per cent in the second half and worked up 17 total shots across the match, yet Athletic's defence held firm, recorded 19 clearances in the second period alone, and goalkeeper Unai Simón was not seriously tested at a decisive moment. Jutglà struck the post from range at minute 37, the closest Celta came to breaching the Athletic rearguard. In the end, the home side's overall possession of 53 per cent did not translate into the goals needed to mount a genuine comeback.
Substitutions and discipline
Athletic introduced Gorka Guruzeta for Iñaki Williams on 65 minutes in a tactical refresh, and Nico Williams entered proceedings at minute 74 in place of Navarro. On the other side, Celta made late changes without altering the outcome. Robert Navarro and Yuri both received yellow cards for Athletic, while referee Busquets also cautioned Gerenabarrena before the final whistle.
Context and implications
Athletic arrived in Vigo carrying notable absences of their own — Gorosabel, Dani Vivian, Beñat Prados and U. Egiluz were all unavailable — yet the depth of a squad valued at approximately €405.8 million proved sufficient against a Celta side whose market valuation stands at around €187.2 million. For Athletic, the three points represent a significant early-season lift. Celta, whose form had already been inconsistent, must now regroup with their attack and defensive structure under scrutiny after conceding twice so quickly at home.
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Source: La Vanguardia