Celta Vigo delivered a stunning comeback against Real Betis, triumphing 3-2 after trailing 2-0, marking their first La Liga victory of 2025.
The thrilling match, held at Balaídos, witnessed Celta's resurgence after the visitors from Seville had taken control early on. Betis’s first-half display was punctuated by goals from Antony and Diego Llorente, who both capitalized on Celta's defensive lapses to put his team two goals up within the first 30 minutes.
The game kicked off at a fervent pace, with Celta almost taking the lead through Bakambu early on. But it was Betis who struck first as Antony netted with a well-placed finish from close range following a poorly cleared cross by Celta's defense, reminiscent of their struggles throughout the first half. Just minutes later, Llorente added to the tally with a powerful header from a corner, leaving Celta reeling and their supporters anxious.
After the halftime break, it was clear something was amiss with Betis’s approach. Instead of pushing for more goals, they adopted a conservative strategy which allowed Celta to regain composure. Claudio Giráldez’s side began to assert themselves more dominantly on the pitch, increasing their possession and pressing Betis back. A tactical shift by Betis, which saw Marc Roca entering the game, only exacerbated their imbalance on the field.
Celta’s revival was spearheaded by their midfield, especially Beltrán and Sáenz, who seized control of the ball. The introduction of substitutes like Swedberg and López made all the difference. Within just two minutes of the second half, Celta struck first, with Beltrán scoring from outside the box to ignite the home crowd.
With the score now 1-2, the stadium brimmed with hope again. Beltrán's strike catalyzed the team’s momentum, and just moments later, they made it 2-2 through Javi Rodríguez, whose presence was poignant as he took advantage of sloppy defending by Betis.
The atmosphere was electric as Celta’s fans rallied behind their team, and the spirited plays began to flow for the hosts. Swedberg, who had entered as part of the tactical overhaul from Giráldez, played hero later on, delivering the game-winning goal after receiving support from his teammates.
Swedberg found the net with just three minutes left, capitalizing on deflections to confound the Betis keeper. The Celta Vigo faithful erupted, marking the occasion with fervor synonymous with football’s unpredictability. Celta’s coach praised the players' tenacity, emphasizing the importance of such wins as they look to lift themselves from the bottom half of the table.
Post-match, Antony expressed his frustration at the defeat, insisting on the need to change the mentality within the team. "It’s very difficult to understand how we lost this match. We were 2-0 up, but we need to remain focused for the full ninety minutes," he told DAZN after the final whistle.
"We need to work harder and learn from this. It's one thing to score, but maintaining control throughout is the key. We shouldn’t wait for the last minutes to realize we need to fight for every point," he added.
With this win, Celta is poised to charge forward, having ended their four-match winless streak. For Betis, the defeat serves as another wake-up call to compete effectively moving forward, needing to address their inability to finish matches on positive notes.
Looking at the La Liga standings, Celta Vigo's spirits have been lifted at a time when they desperately needed it. The match not only adds to their points but also reprised their fighting spirit at home, setting expectations high for their next encounters.
This dramatic clash will surely remain etched in the memories of fans and players alike, encapsulating the relentless excitement of Spanish football.