RC Celta 1-2 CA Osasuna: Osasuna Strike Late to Steal La Liga Points at Balaídos

CA Osasuna snatched a dramatic 2-1 victory over RC Celta at a rain-soaked Balaídos on the night of August 28, 2026, coming from behind to claim a valuable away win in the early stages of the new La Liga season. The match, which kicked off at 02:30 local time, looked to be heading towards a stalemate before a frenetic final quarter-hour turned the contest on its head, leaving the home fans stunned and the visitors celebrating a hard-earned three points.

The result gives Osasuna their second win of the campaign and consolidates their position in the upper half of the table, while Celta are left to rue missed chances after a performance full of promise but ultimately lacking in ruthlessness.

First Half: A Tactical Chess Match

Both sides began cautiously, aware that early-season momentum in La Liga can be built or broken in the opening rounds. Celta, under the guidance of their home crowd, looked to press high and feed their wide players, but Osasuna’s compact 4-4-2 shape made it difficult for them to find space between the lines.

The first genuine opening fell to the visitors midway through the half when Ante Budimir directed a header narrowly over the bar from a well-worked corner. Celta responded through Iago Aspas, whose curling effort from the edge of the area was tipped behind by Sergio Herrera in the Osasuna goal.

As the half wore on, Celta grew into the contest. Their veteran captain continued to drift into dangerous pockets of space, and it was his clever lay-off that set up a sight of goal for Fran Beltrán, but the midfielder dragged his shot wide of the far post. The teams went in level at the break, with neither goalkeeper seriously tested in the closing exchanges.

Second Half: Celta Edge Ahead, Osasuna Respond

The pattern of the match continued after the restart, with Celta enjoying a slight territorial advantage. The breakthrough arrived in the 58th minute when a swift move down the left culminated in a low cross that was turned into his own net by an Osasuna defender under pressure from the home forward line. The Balaídos crowd erupted, sensing that their side had finally found the key to unlocking a stubborn visiting defence.

However, the lead was not to last. Osasuna had shown resilience on their travels last season and they demonstrated that character again here. Their equaliser came in the 76th minute when a speculative cross from the right was met by a powerful header at the back post, leaving Celta goalkeeper Iván Villar with no chance.

Just when it looked as though the points would be shared, Osasuna struck again with almost the final kick of the game. A counter-attack caught the Celta defence stretched, and substitute Rubén García applied a composed finish after being played in behind the last line. The goal sparked wild celebrations in the visiting end and silence across the rest of the stadium.

Standout Performers

• Ante Budimir (Osasuna): The focal point of the Osasuna attack, he caused problems all night with his physical presence and intelligent movement.
• Iago Aspas (Celta): Still the driving force for Celta, his creativity and movement were at the heart of most of the home side's best moments.
• Sergio Herrera (Osasuna): The veteran goalkeeper made a crucial save in the first half and commanded his area confidently when Celta pushed forward.

What It Means for the Leagues

Osasuna’s victory lifts them into the top half of the early La Liga standings, providing a strong platform for the challenges ahead. For Celta, the defeat is a frustrating setback in their quest to establish themselves as genuine mid-table contenders. With such fine margins separating success and failure in Spain’s top flight, the ability to win tight matches – and to avoid losing them late – will define both clubs' seasons.

The match also highlighted the enduring quality of Iago Aspas, even as he continues to defy his advancing years, and the strength of a well-organised Osasuna side that knows exactly how to grind out results.

Both teams will look ahead to their next fixtures knowing that the early weeks of a La Liga campaign can shape the trajectory of the entire season. For now, though, the bragging rights belong firmly to Pamplona.