On a morning that evokes memories of 1980s football, Celta emerges from the Urritxe venue with a hard-fought qualification to the Copa del Rey round of 16, after defeating Amorebieta in a game packed with turning points. The report notes the challenges posed by the Basque side and the conditions of the pitch, which added another layer of difficulty to the match. Five years later, Celta again finds themselves among the tournament’s last sixteen, and tomorrow the draw at 13:00 will reveal their next opponent and whether the team will have another chance to host a cup tie at Balaídos.
It was not an easy morning for Amorebieta. Celta, initially unsettled in the opening period, demonstrated resilience as the team managed by a former Celt, Jandro, found a way to overturn the early deficit and move ahead before the half-time whistle. The opening goal came in the fifth minute, delivered by Miguel Rodríguez, whose energy and relentless pressing set the tone. The early advantage reflected Celta’s response to the difficult field conditions, which remained soft and muddy in several stretches. Benítez’s squad controlled the tempo after taking the lead, stepping back at times to invite Amorebieta to believe in its own possibilities. That shift in momentum coincided with a resurgence from the Basques, whose intensity began to tilt the match. The visitors capitalized on possession and mistakes in defense, and Amorebieta drew level with two goals during the first half, courtesy of Jauregui and Rayco, bringing the score to 2-1 at halftime.
Rain continued to fall at Urritxe, and the pitch deteriorated into a quagmire as the interval approached. Celta, however, did not wilt. The home team came out with renewed purpose, showing a calm and organized response to the conditions. Rather than shying away, Benítez’s side asserted control from the start of the second half and challenged Amorebieta’s intensity. The equalizer arrived soon after the restart when Jailson headed home from the far post, signaling what would become a defining period of the match. The goal sparked a surge from Celta, with Miguel Rodríguez once again central to the action, contributing to most of the team’s offensive moves through the middle and on the flanks. The presence of Williot and the sharp movement of Douvikas in the box added layers to the attack, creating a dynamic combination play that unsettled the Basque defense. A cross from Redondelo found the head of the Greek forward, who redirected the ball into the heart of the area, restoring Celta’s lead at 3-2.
Amorebieta pressed forward in search of a quick equalizer, pressing high and trying to deny space to Celta’s attackers. However, the visitors could not bridge the gap to the area consistently, and their attempts were neutralized by solid defensive organization from the Vigo club. Williot produced moments of individual brilliance, and Miguel Rodríguez, who was most effective in the contest, seemed to be everywhere on the pitch, linking play and creating opportunities. Douvikas remained a constant threat in the box, combining with the wing play to deliver powerful strikes and set pieces that kept Amorebieta under pressure. A late sequence saw a shot clang off the post, underscoring how close Amorebieta came to snatching a point. Yet the Greek striker’s control in the final stages, complemented by Unai Núñez’s defensive work at crucial moments, ensured the fourth goal remained out of reach for the Basques as Celta closed out the match with composure and earned the right to celebrate a return to the round of 16 in the Copa del Rey.
Amorebieta had their moments and clearly outplayed Celta at certain junctures, but the final outcome reflected a balance of intensity, tactical discipline, and the sharper finishing from the visitors. The performance illustrated a resilient Celta, capable of adapting to adverse conditions and leveraging its depth in personnel and quality in the final third. The result secures a continued presence in the competition and sets up a suspenseful draw as the team eyes the next phase, with Balaídos potentially hosting further cup action depending on the pairing drawn in the official ceremony. In the end, the match delivered a compelling narrative of resilience, tactical adjustment, and patient, late-game execution that defined Celta’s advancement to the Copa del Rey round of 16.