Muriqi delivered the decisive moment at Balaídos, securing a narrow win for Mallorca as Rafa Benítez’s Celta de Vigo were left to rue a contested penalty that did not reflect the balance of play. The Kosovan forward struck the only goal five minutes from the end, turning a match that had seen Mallorca control key phases into a valuable victory on the road.
In a game that Mallorca dominated in tempo and positional play, Celta de Vigo pressed relentlessly but failed to convert their chances. The home side created several half‑clear opportunities, yet Mallorca’s defense held firm at critical moments and goalkeeper Manolo Reina, when called into action, preserved their lead. The late strike by Muriqi capped a performance where Mallorca demonstrated efficient counter‑pressing and clinical finishing when it mattered most.
Fans watched as the match progressed with Mallorca showing greater organization and tactical discipline, while Celta looked for openings through quick combinations and set pieces. The end result reinforced Mallorca’s ability to capitalize on opportunities, even when the hosts appeared dominant for stretches of the match. The atmosphere in Balaídos was electric, with both teams pushing hard to gain the upper hand in a tense encounter (Goal).
The moment that changed the course of the game arrived in the 85th minute. Vedat Muriqi broke the deadlock after a sequence started with a Dani Rodríguez header that Samú Costa deflected into the path of the Kosovan striker. Muriqi then guided the ball past Iván Villar to put Mallorca ahead, prompting a late surge from Celta that ultimately couldn’t overturn the deficit (Goal).
Earlier in the contest, a potential goal for Jonny Camba looked set to alter the complexion of the match. The quick transition that followed saw Iago Aspas deliver to a finishing volley by Celta, but the attempt struck the crossbar and did not cross the line. The on‑field decision was reviewed by VAR, which overturned an initial concession and kept the scoreline level for a time before Mallorca’s late winner in another dramatic twist (Goal).
As the final whistle approached, Celta intensified their pressure, but Mallorca’s defensive structure held strong. The result underscored the visitors’ efficiency on the counter and their ability to convert a single, late chance into three points away from home, a testament to their strategic plan and execution on the day (Goal).
Celta de Vigo versus Mallorca unfolded with the away side dictating much of the tempo, while Mallorca’s defense stood resolute when it mattered most. The scoreline did not fully reflect the hosts’ territorial dominance, but the decisive goal illustrated Mallorca’s capacity to seize opportunities and secure a valuable victory in a challenging away fixture (Goal).
Celta de Vigo line‑up and Mallorca setup were laid out as the teams sought to gain advantage through pressing and compact defending. In a match that swung on small margins, Mallorca’s goal ultimately proved decisive, leaving Celta to reflect on missed chances and a late strike that didn’t swing the result their way (Goal).
Source: Goal