It was a brisk afternoon in Vigo as RC Celta de Vigo and Valencia CF kicked off their La Liga campaigns for 2026 at the Estadio Balaidos, a clash that promised plenty and delivered even more. As the first whistle blew at 2:00 PM, fans from both sides were eager to see how their teams would start the new year, with plenty of storylines swirling around the pitch.
Leading up to the match, speculation abounded regarding Celta’s defensive anchor Joseph Aidoo. Rumors had circulated about a possible contract termination, but in a move that caught many by surprise, Aidoo was named in Claudio Giráldez’s starting eleven. The decision paid off, as Aidoo’s presence brought stability to the Celta back line from the get-go.
On the other side of the technical area, all eyes were on Valencia’s coach Corberán, who faced a tactical dilemma: would he opt for a classic 4-4-2 or switch things up with a 3-5-2 formation? As the lineups were announced and the teams warmed up, it became clear that both managers were ready to roll the dice in what would become a memorable contest.
The match itself was a rollercoaster, with Celta Vigo eventually running out 4-1 winners in front of their jubilant home crowd. The scoring opened in dramatic fashion when Borja Iglesias coolly converted a penalty, sending the ball to the bottom right corner after Dimitri Foulquier was called for a foul in the box. Iglesias, showing nerves of steel, gave Celta the lead and set the tone for the rest of the encounter.
Valencia had their chances to respond early. In the first half, Pepelu stepped up to the spot for a penalty of his own but struck the left post, leaving the scoreline unchanged. It was a moment that could have shifted the momentum, but instead, it seemed to spur Celta on. Aidoo, perhaps motivated by his return to the lineup, nearly doubled the lead with a powerful header that just missed the target, and Óscar Mingueza forced a sharp save from Valencia’s Julen Agirrezabala with a well-struck shot from distance.
As the game wore on, Celta’s attacking intent became increasingly apparent. Pablo Durán, coming on as an early substitute for the injured Williot Swedberg, added energy to Celta’s forward line. The hosts’ persistence paid off again when Borja Iglesias found the net for a second time, this one from open play with a left-footed finish after a clever assist from Durán. The Estadio Balaidos crowd erupted as Celta surged to a 2-0 advantage, but Valencia weren’t finished yet.
Pepelu, determined to make amends for his earlier penalty miss, rifled in a goal from outside the box to pull one back for the visitors. His right-footed shot snuck into the bottom left corner, giving Valencia a glimmer of hope and reminding everyone why he’s considered one of their most reliable midfielders.
Celta, however, refused to let the momentum slip. On a lightning-quick counter, Jones El Abdellaoui broke free and slotted home a right-footed shot to restore the two-goal cushion. The move was classic Celta—quick, incisive, and clinical. Mingueza, who had been a topic of pre-match discussion thanks to his +1150 odds to score, contributed with a key assist, underlining his value to the side even if he didn’t find the back of the net himself.
By this point, Valencia’s frustrations started to show. The match saw a flurry of yellow cards—Javi Rodríguez (Celta), Copete, Largie Ramazani, and Hugo Duro (all Valencia)—as tackles flew in and tempers flared. Substitutions came thick and fast, with both managers looking for a spark. Valencia introduced Diego López, César Tárrega, Arnaut Danjuma, Largie Ramazani, and Luis Rioja, hoping to change the tide, while Celta brought on Iago Aspas and Manu Fernández to steady the ship and see out the result.
The drama wasn’t over yet. Valencia’s goalkeeper, Julen Agirrezabala, was forced off with an injury after all substitutions had been made—a cruel blow for the visitors who had already used up their bench options. Down but not out, Valencia kept pressing, but Celta’s Ionut Radu was equal to the task, making several crucial saves to deny Hugo Duro and Javi Guerra from close range.
With eight minutes of added time announced, Celta put the game to bed in style. Hugo Álvarez, a late substitute, capped off a sweeping move with a right-footed shot from the left side of the box, finding the bottom left corner after a neat assist from the evergreen Iago Aspas. The goal sent the home fans into raptures and sealed a comprehensive 4-1 victory for the hosts.
Statistically, Celta’s performance was impressive. They came into the match sitting 10th in La Liga with 20 goals in 17 matches and a positive goal differential (+1), while Valencia’s defensive struggles continued, having conceded 26 goals in 17 games and languishing in 16th defensively. Offensively, Valencia ranked 14th in the league, averaging just 0.9 goals per match—a trend that persisted in Vigo despite their best efforts.
Óscar Mingueza, much discussed in pre-match previews for his prop odds, played his part with a typically industrious performance. He’s now featured in 16 matches this season, tallying one goal and three assists, and though he didn’t score against Valencia, he was instrumental in transition and build-up play. According to USA TODAY Sports Betting, his odds to score were +1150 ahead of the match, reflecting his defensive role but also his occasional forays forward.
For Celta, the win marks a promising start to 2026 and a potential springboard for a push up the La Liga table. Valencia, meanwhile, will be left to regroup and address both tactical and injury concerns as the season progresses. The match also highlighted the depth of Celta’s squad, with key contributions coming from substitutes and veterans alike.
As the final whistle sounded, there was no doubt that the Estadio Balaidos faithful had witnessed one of the most entertaining fixtures of the early La Liga calendar. With standout performances, dramatic goals, and a flurry of late action, this clash between Celta and Valencia will be remembered as a statement win for the hosts—and a wake-up call for the visitors as the league campaign heats up.