Match Recap and Key Moments
Goal decisions and tense moments shaped a dramatic clash as Athletic Bilbao hosted Celta Vigo. Aspas opened the scoring with a precise finish after a through ball from Brais Méndez, leaving Unai Simón with little chance. The long-range effort by Fran Beltrán, from about 25 meters, added a second for the visitors and underscored a difficult night for the home side, though Simón stood firm when required.
Both teams began with high intensity. Athletic swept forward first, with Muniain threading a clever pass to Williams, who created a dangerous angle for the goalkeeper. Celta replied quickly through a Cervi strike and then controlled the rhythm with a superb cross by Javi Galán, which proved decisive in the early exchanges as the visitors pressed for more.
From a subsequent delivery, Celta extended their lead. Vivian and Yeray were unable to clear effectively and Brais Méndez found Aspas in front of goal to beat Simón, marking Aspas’s fourteenth league goal this season and his fifth assist from Vigo. The early momentum put Athletic on the back foot as they sought a quick reply.
In pursuit of an immediate equalizer, Berenguer unleashed a shot from the edge of the area that Dituro appreciably parried. Sancet then tested the Argentine goalkeeper twice, with a precise shot that narrowly missed and a follow-up in a crowded zone blocked by Araujo in a small the penalty area.
Minutes later, Brais threatened again from distance, and Fran Beltrán provided the assist for the 0-2 moment that stunned the hosts. From the left flank, Beltrán’s cross or shot left Simón rooted to the spot before a powerful strike rolled home, silencing San Mamés and reinforcing Celta’s dominance at that stage.
Athletic’s opening spell had been uneven and Marcelino made decisive changes at halftime, introducing fresh forwards and altering the forward line. The substitutions disrupted the rhythm but did not yield the desired breakthrough, and the visitors maintained their compact shape and pressing discipline.
As the second half progressed, the home side never established sustained pressure. Aidoo came close for Celta with a header from a corner, testing Simón as the visitors continued to control portions of the match. The host’s luck took a hit when Villalibre suffered another muscular injury, the fourth of the season in that region, keeping him sidelined for part of the action and complicating the attacking setup further.
Structural issues persisted for Athletic, and the game drifted into a period of disappointment for the home fans. The encounter carried a sense of inevitability as Celta remained patient, staying in command while the Basque side searched for a spark to rescue something from the contest.
Late pressure from Athletic included a dangerous cross from Denis Suárez, a potential penalty scenario following Berenguer’s run, and a shot from Raúl García that offered a brief moment of hope for a comeback. Yet the visitors held firm, sealing the result with steady defending and clinical finishing when opportunities arose.
Data sheet:
0 – Athletic: Unai Simón; Petxarroman, Vivian, Yeray, Yuri; Berenguer, Vencedor, Vesga (Zarraga, art.46), Muniain (Raúl García, art.68); Sancet (Nico Williams, m.46) and Iñaki Williams (Villalibre, m.46; Serrano, m.72).
2 – Celta: Aidoo (Carlos Domínguez, m.91), Kevin Vázquez (Murillo, m.72), Javi Galán, Araujo; Fran Beltrán; Brais Méndez, Denis Suárez (Solari, art.88), Cervi (Tapia, art.72); Aspas y Mina (Nolito, art.72).
Goals: 0-1, m.11: Knives. 0-2, art.37: Fran Beltrán.
Officials: Referee Alejandro José Hernández Hernández (Las Palmas). Yellow cards: Petxarroman (m.41) and Muniain (m.62) for Athletic; Kevin Vázquez (m.51) and Tapia (m.93) for Celta.
Video Assistant Referee: David Medié Jiménez (Catalan School).
Attendance: Official data indicated roughly 30,000 spectators at San Mamés for the 32nd round La Liga Santander match.