Osasuna Edge Celta Vigo In Rainy La Liga Thriller

On a rain-soaked Friday evening at Balaídos Stadium, Celta Vigo and Osasuna delivered a La Liga contest that crackled with intensity and drama, ultimately ending in a narrow 2-1 victory for the visitors. The match, played on February 6, 2026, was pivotal for both clubs as they jostled for position in the upper half of the league table.

Celta Vigo entered the encounter desperate to snap a three-game winless streak. Despite a recent dip in form, including a frustrating goalless draw against Getafe marked by a low expected goals tally of just 0.26, the Galicians had reason for optimism. Claudio Giráldez’s side had previously shown resilience this season, rebounding from a winless opening nine fixtures to climb to seventh in the standings. Their memorable 2-0 triumph over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu in December, with Williot Swedberg netting both goals, had been a highlight. However, with a congested fixture list and the Europa League sapping their freshness, Celta’s momentum had stalled.

Osasuna, meanwhile, arrived in Vigo with renewed confidence. Sitting ninth in the table, they were riding a four-game unbeaten run, including a thrilling 2-2 draw against Villarreal. Under coach Alessio Lisci, the Pamplona outfit had picked up seven points from their last three matches. The January transfer window had also brought reinforcements: Javi Galán joined from Atlético Madrid to shore up the left side of defense, and Raúl Moro, a promising winger from Ajax, added spark to the attack. Yet, Osasuna faced a selection headache in midfield, with Lucas Torró suspended and Jon Moncayola sidelined by illness, forcing Lisci to reshuffle his central options.

The match began with Celta showing clear intent to seize the initiative. In torrential rain, their right-back Javi Rodriguez fired just over the bar, while Hugo Alvarez forced Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera into a sharp early save. The home crowd, buoyed by their team’s four-match winning streak at Balaídos, sensed a breakthrough was imminent.

But football’s unpredictability soon reared its head. Against the run of play in the 35th minute, Osasuna’s in-form striker Ante Budimir—already with 10 league goals to his name—made his presence felt. Meeting a pinpoint cross from Raúl Moro, Budimir rose above his marker to nod home, notching his 11th league goal of the campaign and his fifth in four matches. According to Flashscore, "Ante Budimir proved he needed just one chance to make an impact, getting across his marker to guide his header home from Raul Moro’s inviting delivery." This goal marked only the third time Osasuna had led away at halftime all season.

Trailing at the break, Celta needed a response. Giráldez’s charges regrouped, and their efforts paid dividends early in the second half. A handball by Osasuna defender Alejandro Catena in the penalty area led to a lengthy VAR review, but the referee’s on-field decision stood. Veteran striker Borja Iglesias stepped up to the spot, displaying nerves of steel as he sent Herrera the wrong way to level the score. The home fans erupted, sensing a comeback was on the cards.

Momentum briefly swung Celta’s way. Substitute Williot Swedberg, the hero of December’s Bernabéu win, nearly completed the turnaround with a clever move that forced Herrera into a smart near-post save. The Galicians pressed forward, but Osasuna’s defense held firm, with Herrera proving a reliable last line.

Yet, as the clock ticked down, Osasuna struck again. In the 79th minute, a set piece—a known Osasuna strength, with 12 goals from dead-ball situations this season—proved decisive. Alejandro Catena nodded a delivery down in the box, and Raúl García capitalized on some hesitant defending from Marco Alonso to bundle in the visitors’ second goal. It was a classic example of Osasuna’s prowess from set pieces, a trait that has made them the best in La Liga in that department.

With the visitors now 2-1 ahead, Celta threw everything forward in search of a late equalizer. Iago Aspas, the club legend, came closest, but Herrera was equal to his effort, producing a crucial reaction save in the dying moments. As the final whistle blew, Osasuna’s players celebrated a hard-fought victory—one that moved them to within four points of their seventh-placed hosts and further solidified their European ambitions.

After the match, praise was heaped on Ante Budimir, who was named Flashscore’s Man of the Match for his clinical finishing and tireless work rate. Budimir’s resurgence has been a major storyline for Osasuna, as he has reclaimed his status as the focal point of their attack. The Croatian forward’s consistency, especially in recent weeks, has been instrumental in Osasuna’s rise up the table.

For Celta, the defeat was a bitter pill, particularly after a promising start and a strong home record. The loss extended their winless run to four games and raised questions about their ability to maintain momentum in the campaign’s crucial phases. Still, with a youthful squad and Giráldez’s steady hand at the helm, the Galicians remain well-placed to push for continental qualification.

Looking at the broader context, both teams have shown significant improvement over the past 18 months. Celta’s resurgence under Giráldez and Osasuna’s steady progress with Lisci at the helm have injected fresh energy into La Liga’s top half. The January transfer window’s arrivals—Fer López returning to Celta and Javi Galán and Raúl Moro joining Osasuna—have already begun to influence both squads’ trajectories.

In terms of statistics, the match also highlighted some season-long trends. Both teams boast the best save percentages in the league—Celta at 76.5% and Osasuna at 77.5%. The hosts have a 64% record for both teams to score in home matches, a trend that played out again here. And with Budimir the only player among both squads to reach double-digit league goals, his impact cannot be overstated.

As the dust settles on this dramatic encounter, Osasuna’s victory at Balaídos stands as a testament to their resilience and set-piece mastery. For Celta, the focus now shifts to regrouping and reigniting their push for Europe. With plenty of football left in the season, both teams will have further opportunities to shape their destinies—but for now, it’s Osasuna who leave Vigo with the spoils and a surge of confidence heading into the business end of the campaign.