In a nail-biting La Liga 2024-25 encounter, Villarreal edged out Celta Vigo 4-3 in a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very last minute. The game, played at Estadio de la Cerámica, featured an array of twists, including a late penalty save, a dramatic winner deep into stoppage time, and an own goal that added to the intensity of the clash. This thrilling contest highlighted both teams’ attacking prowess and resilience, setting the tone for what promises to be an exciting season ahead.
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Villarreal CF vs Celta Vigo Lineups
Villarreal (4-4-2):
- GK: Diego Conde
- DEF: Sergi Cardona, Eric Bailly, Raúl Albiol, Kiko Femenía
- MID: Álex Baena, Dani Parejo, Santi Comesaña, Yeremy Pino
- FWD: Arnaut Danjuma, Gerard Moreno
Celta Vigo (4-3-3):
- GK: Iván Villar
- DEF: Sergio Carreira, Óscar Mingueza, Carl Starfelt, Jailson
- MID: Fran Beltrán, Damián Rodríguez, Ilaix Moriba
- FWD: Borja Iglesias, Alfon González, Jonathan Bamba
Villarreal vs Celta Vigo Half Time
Celta Vigo started strong, taking the lead early in the 12th minute through Borja Iglesias, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner. Villarreal responded with an equalizer in the 26th minute when Sergi Cardona scored from close range after a corner kick. Celta, however, regained their lead in the 31st minute with a well-taken free kick by Óscar Mingueza, putting the visitors ahead 2-1 at halftime.
Villarreal vs Celta Vigo Full Time
The second half saw Villarreal fight back fiercely. Thierno Barry, who came off the bench, leveled the score at 2-2 in the 60th minute with a powerful header. Villarreal then took the lead in the 64th minute, thanks to an unfortunate own goal by Celta’s Jailson. But the drama was far from over. Celta equalized again in the 80th minute through a towering header from Carl Starfelt.
As the match seemed destined for a draw, Villarreal was awarded a controversial penalty deep into stoppage time. Dani Parejo’s initial effort was saved, but the midfielder made no mistake on the rebound, securing a 4-3 victory for Villarreal in the 100th minute of play.
Full-Time Details
- Final Score: Villarreal 4, Celta Vigo 3
- Goals:
- Villarreal: Sergi Cardona (26′), Thierno Barry (60′), Jailson (64′ OG), Dani Parejo (90’+10′)
- Celta Vigo: Borja Iglesias (12′), Óscar Mingueza (31′), Carl Starfelt (80′)
Villarreal vs Celta Vigo Stats
- Shots: Villarreal 20 – 15 Celta Vigo
- Shots on Target: Villarreal 12 – 8 Celta Vigo
- Possession: Villarreal 55% – 45% Celta Vigo
- Corners: Villarreal 7 – 5 Celta Vigo
- Fouls: Villarreal 14 – 18 Celta Vigo
- Yellow Cards: Villarreal 4 – 4 Celta Vigo
Villarreal vs Celta Vigo Fouls and Discipline
The match was fiercely contested, with both teams committing several fouls. Villarreal saw four players booked: Kiko Femenía, Pape Gueye, Santi Comesaña, and Nicolas Pépé. Celta Vigo’s Williot Swedberg, Hugo Álvarez, Ilaix Moriba, and Jonathan Bamba also received yellow cards. The intensity of the match was evident in the frequent stoppages and the late-game drama, including the decisive penalty that sealed Villarreal’s victory.
This high-octane clash between Villarreal and Celta Vigo will be remembered as one of the most exciting matches of the La Liga 2024-25 season. With both teams showcasing their attacking flair and resilience, the match not only provided entertainment but also a statement of intent from Villarreal, who are now firmly positioned near the top of the table. Celta Vigo, despite the loss, can take heart from their performance and will undoubtedly look to bounce back in their next fixture.
