VIGO, SPAIN — Raúl García delivered a crushing blow to Celta Vigo's European ambitions, nodding home a 79th-minute winner as Osasuna snatched a remarkable 2-1 victory at Balaídos. The veteran striker's close-range finish, assisted by Alejandro Catena's headed flick-on from a set piece, completed a smash-and-grab performance that defied the statistical narrative and left the home faithful stunned.
The visitors drew first blood in the 35th minute when Ante Budimir rose majestically at the back post to power a header past Vicente Guaita. Raúl Moro's pinpoint cross from the left flank found the Croatian striker unmarked, and his downward header nestled into the bottom left corner, silencing the home crowd and giving Osasuna an advantage their early possession statistics scarcely warranted.
Celta's response was immediate and sustained. The Galicians peppered Sergio Herrera's goal with wave after wave of attacks, their 57% possession translating into territorial dominance but precious few clear-cut chances. Hugo Álvarez came agonizingly close to an equalizer in the 15th minute, his left-footed effort from the center of the box forcing a smart save from Herrera after Miguel Román's perfectly weighted through ball had split the Osasuna defense.
The breakthrough finally arrived eight minutes into the second half when referee Soto Grado pointed to the spot after a foul in the area. Borja Iglesias stepped up with confidence, sending Herrera the wrong way with a composed right-footed finish into the bottom left corner to level the contest at 1-1 and reignite Celta's hopes of claiming all three points.
What followed was a period of sustained pressure from the hosts, who launched 18 shots compared to Osasuna's meager eight, yet found Herrera in inspired form. The visiting goalkeeper produced a crucial save in the 74th minute, diving low to his left to deny Williot Swedberg's effort after the Swedish winger had been teed up by Sergio Carreira. Just moments later, Herrera was called into action again, palming away Iago Aspas's close-range attempt in the 89th minute as Celta desperately searched for a winner.
But football's cruel irony struck with 11 minutes remaining. From an Osasuna set piece, Catena rose highest to flick on toward the back post, where García reacted quickest to bundle the ball home from virtually on the goal line. The veteran's predatory instincts proved the difference, and despite nine minutes of added time, Celta couldn't muster an equalizer.
The statistics painted a picture of dominance that never materialized into victory for Celta. Beyond their possession advantage and shot count, the hosts also won seven corners to Osasuna's three and managed four efforts on target. Yet only two of their 18 attempts genuinely troubled Herrera, highlighting a lack of cutting edge that has plagued their campaign. Osasuna, meanwhile, demonstrated the clinical efficiency that survival battles demand, converting two of their eight shots and defending with discipline throughout.
The tactical battle saw Celta manager Claudio Giráldez introduce fresh legs in search of a winner, bringing on Iago Aspas, Jones El Abdellaoui, and Ferran Jutglà in the closing stages. Osasuna boss Jagoba Arrasate countered by withdrawing Budimir and introducing García, a substitution that proved inspired. The visitors also picked up two yellow cards to Celta's two, with Valentin Rosier cautioned in stoppage time for a foul on Swedberg as tensions boiled over.
Carl Starfelt came desperately close to salvaging a point in the 90th minute, his header from a corner sailing high and wide as Celta's frustration reached its peak. Marcos Alonso and Ilaix Moriba both saw efforts blocked as the home side threw bodies forward, but Osasuna's defensive resolve held firm through the frantic finale.
For Celta, sitting seventh with 29 points, this represents a painful missed opportunity to strengthen their push for European qualification. The manner of defeat—dominating possession and chances yet falling to a late sucker punch—will sting particularly hard. Osasuna, conversely, move to 19 points in 15th place, with this gutsy away victory providing crucial breathing room in their battle against relegation.
The result caps a fine run for Osasuna before facing their next challenge, while Celta must quickly pick up the pieces when they host Espanyol on February 15.