Substitute after substitute, Iago Aspas arrived late but still led the surge for Celta in a match that ended 3-2 with Getafe. The Galicia star shone in the second act, while Jaime Mata countered with a brace that erased an earlier impression. It was a football lesson played out on the Coliseum lawn.
Following the positive mood from Pamplona, Rafael Benítez opted to keep the same starting XI against Osasuna, trusting the same defensive setup that produced a 0-3 win a week earlier with Iago Aspas on the bench. The plan relied on three central defenders to seal the backline. Yet at the Coliseum, that approach faltered. The team grew stronger only after Aspas stepped onto the field, and Benítez’s preference for a three-man defense did not pay off here.
There was a clear intention to emulate Getafe’s approach: solid at the back, quick counters, and high intensity. But Getafe’s extreme style put Celta under pressure, and every contested ball became a test. The Galician side found themselves boxed in, searching for a breakthrough in a game demanding precision and patience.
Describe Borja Mayoral’s season in one word. We can only think of one: ✨ GOALS ✨
⚽️ – LALIGA en DAZN
— DAZN Spain (@DAZN_ES) February 11, 2024
Getafe knew how to force the tempo. The opening goal arrived when Mayoral capitalized on a timid moment, his fifteenth goal of the season. The visitors admitted the battle and chose to rely on physical duels, patience, and a controlled pace. They held firm and carried the game forward, leaving Celta chasing the scoreboard and the initiative. The half closed with Getafe in front, a setback for the home side that required a rethink.
The clash became a limited affair, with few clear chances. Celta managed a rare shot from Ristic via a free kick and Unai Núñez tested the goalkeeper with a header. Greenwood’s long-range effort from outside the box went narrowly wide of the Coliseum stands, a reminder of the narrow margins that define these encounters.
Greenwood, perhaps appearing detached at times, sparked the game in the final stretch. He opened a quick move on the right wing, and his cross found Mayoral at the finish line for a second goal. Earlier, a cross from Diego Rico had been met by Jordi Martín, and Mayoral tucked in the rebound for Getafe, extending the lead and forcing Celta into a tougher position.
Shortly after, Greenwood found his rhythm again on the right and scored just before halftime, sliding the ball past Ristic as Getafe doubled their advantage. Guaita was unlucky to block a shot that ricocheted back into Mata’s path, who finished cleanly to make it 2-0. Mata’s finishing on the rebound underscored Getafe’s clinical edge in front of goal.
As the second half unfolded, Getafe’s two-goal cushion seemed to dim Celta’s chances, and Benítez responded by tightening the midfield with a more aggressive 4-4-2 and shifting the attack to three forwards. Aspas, driving the play, began to stalk the ball and orchestrate offensive moves. The Blue-and-White side inched closer, and Aspas delivered a masterclass in link-up play, distributing smart passes and pulling strings from behind the line. He threaded a superb pass to Manquillo between the defenders and whipped a precise cross that found the head of the Norwegian teammate, bringing one goal back and lifting the crowd.
The game’s momentum shifted as Aspas continued to influence possession and tempo. There remained twenty minutes to press for an equalizer, but Getafe’s defense held firm. Aspas, true to form, produced moments of genius, threading another exquisite ball that left Tadeo Allende in a one-on-one situation with Soria. The Argentinians did not fail, and Celta closed the gap with Allende finishing decisively, renewing hope and tightening the suspense in the closing minutes.
Once again, Greenwood’s impact loomed large. The England winger directed Jaime Mata’s cross into the net in the 88th minute, and the home side’s momentum collapsed under pressure. Aspas, celebrated as a pivotal influence in Celta’s history, had sparked a late rush that briefly threatened a dramatic equalizer, only to be thwarted in the final flurry of play as Getafe clung to the win and celebrated a hard-fought victory.