Celta de Vigo and Mallorca both pulled off important victories on March 15, 2025, during the 28th round of the Spanish La Liga, significantly impacting their standings as they push for their respective goals.
Starting with Celta, the team faced off against the league’s bottom dwellers, Valladolid, at the Estadio José Zorrilla. Despite the home team's fierce resistance, Celta secured the win with Marcos Alonso scoring the only goal of the match via the penalty spot late in the game. The penalty came at minute 83 after Valladolid fouled one of the Celta players inside the box. For Alonso, it was not just another goal, but a pivotal moment, pushing his team to victory. “We had to fight hard to get this victory,” Alonso stated after the match, reflecting on the difficulty of breaking through Valladolid’s defense.
This win marked Celta’s rise to seventh place, bringing them within two points of the sixth place and the coveted European competition spots. The result is particularly significant as it helps Celta remain competitive as the season progresses.
Meanwhile, Mallorca's match against Espanyol at the Estadi de Son Moix unfolded with drama and intensity. The home side found themselves trailing 1-0 after Vedat Muriqi inadvertently scored an own goal just minutes after halftime. The fans feared another frustrating afternoon, but Mallorca didn’t buckle under the pressure. Ten minutes after the own goal, the referee awarded them a penalty for a foul by Espanyol. Muriqi stepped up to take the shot but unfortunately failed to convert, sending the ball wide. “It was dramatic, but we showed character,” Muriqi remarked post-match, alluding to how they resolved to turn the game around.
Determined to bounce back, Mallorca leveled the score at 1-1 with a powerful header from Takefusa Kubo, who capitalized on some excellent teamwork. With everything on the line and the match nearing its conclusion, it seemed like the points were about to be shared, but fate had other plans. Just moments from the final whistle, another handball led to yet another penalty being awarded to Mallorca - this time against Espanyol’s defense. Muriqi redeemed himself by successfully converting the spot-kick, sealing the game at 2-1 for Mallorca. The crowd erupted with joy as the players celebrated emphatically on the pitch.
For Valladolid, the loss extended their disheartening run, marking their eighth defeat across nine matches and pushing them firmly to the bottom of the league table with only 16 points. The pressure is mounting on their coaching staff and players as the relegation battle intensifies.
According to reports and gathered statistics, Celta’s victory leaves them with 39 points, significantly boosting their chances for the upcoming European league qualifiers. With each match day becoming increasingly competitive, every point counts, and Celta’s momentum is undoubtedly assisting them as they chase the top spots.
Simultaneously, Mallorca is making strides to secure their position above the relegation zone. After claiming the dramatic win against Espanyol, Mallorca can breathe easier but still face challenges with several tough fixtures on the horizon.
Overall, these matches not only provided thrilling entertainment for football fans but also played substantial roles for both Celta and Mallorca. Both teams will carry their newfound hopes forward as they continue to battle through the latter stages of the season.