RC Celta 0-2 Athletic Club: Athletic Strike Late to Take the Points at Balaídos

Athletic Club opened their 2026-27 La Liga account in emphatic fashion with a composed 2-0 victory over RC Celta at Balaídos. On a warm Galician night, the visitors soaked up early pressure and punished the hosts with two second-half goals, showing why they remain one of Spain’s most difficult sides to break down.

Match Overview

From the first whistle, Celta looked eager to control the rhythm, with their midfield trio dominating possession and pushing Athletic deep into their own half. However, the Basques, true to their identity under the leadership of their homegrown core, were patient and defensively organised. The first half produced few clear-cut chances; Celta’s best opportunity came from a sharp Iago Aspas effort that was tipped over, while Athletic relied on quick transitions to trouble the home defence.

The breakthrough arrived after the hour mark. Athletic’s relentless pressing finally paid off when Oihan Sancet latched onto a loose ball inside the area and finished calmly past Celta’s goalkeeper. The goal forced Celta forward, leaving space for Athletic to exploit, and substitute Gorka Guruzeta sealed the result in the closing minutes with a clinical breakaway finish.

Key Moments

• 63’ – Athletic take the lead: Sancet arrives late in the box and slots home after a well-worked move involving the wing-backs.
• 86’ – Guruzeta seals it: A quick counter-attack catches Celta out of shape; Guruzeta rounds the keeper and rolls the ball into the empty net.
• 90’ – Celta frustration boils over: A late challenge earns a home player a booking as the match ends in disappointment for the Galicians.

Tactical Story

Celta’s 4-3-3 setup gave them territorial superiority, but Athletic’s compact defensive block forced them into wide areas and speculative crosses. The visitors, in contrast, were deliberate with their pressing triggers, stepping up whenever Celta tried to play out from the back. It was a textbook away performance: concede possession, stay disciplined, and strike with precision on the counter.

Athletic’s midfield duo, anchored by the veteran Mikel Vesga, disrupted Celta’s passing lanes throughout. Meanwhile, the pace of both wingers stretched the pitch in the final 30 minutes, which proved decisive after the opener forced Celta to take more risks.

Standout Players

• Oihan Sancet (Athletic): The playmaker drifted between lines all evening and delivered the crucial opener with a composed finish.
• Julen Agirrezabala (Athletic): Made two sharp saves in the first half, keeping his clean sheet intact when the match was still on a knife’s edge.
• Iago Aspas (Celta): Still Celta’s most dangerous outlet, but he lacked support and was eventually substituted after fading.

Table Impact and What’s Next

This away victory gives Athletic a perfect start to the campaign, placing them among the early leaders in the La Liga standings. Their clean sheet will please the coaching staff, especially with a demanding European schedule looming. For Celta, the defeat at home – where they have traditionally been strong – will raise concerns. They will need to be more clinical in the final third if they are to avoid another season of mid-table struggle.

Both sides now have a week to prepare for their next fixtures, with Athletic aiming to build momentum and Celta looking to recover their early-season confidence before the international break.