Celtic 1-2 RC Celta: Visitors Come From Behind to Claim Europa League Win

RC Celta produced a composed second-half comeback to beat Celtic 1-2 in the UEFA Europa League on 23 October 2026, turning a difficult first half at Celtic Park into an important away victory. Daizen Maeda gave Celtic an early lead, but Borja Iglesias levelled after the break before Williot Swedberg struck the winner in the closing stages.

The match was played at a high tempo and had a clear contrast in styles. Celtic pressed aggressively and tried to overwhelm Celta with quick attacks down the flanks, while the Spanish side grew into the game by controlling possession and finding space between Celtic’s midfield and defence. In the end, Celta’s patience and quality in the final third proved decisive.

Match Overview

• Competition: UEFA Europa League
• Match: Celtic FC vs. RC Celta
• Date: 23 October 2026
• Venue: Celtic Park, Glasgow
• Final score: Celtic 1-2 RC Celta

Celtic began with the energy expected of a home side in Europe. The Scottish champions pushed their full-backs high, pressed Celta’s first pass, and looked to create chances through quick combinations around the penalty area. That approach paid off in the 21st minute when Maeda darted in behind the defence and finished calmly to give Celtic the lead.

Key Moments

The opening goal arrived after a spell of sustained Celtic pressure. A quick turnover in midfield sent the ball wide, and the return pass found Maeda making a diagonal run into the box. His first touch took him past the covering defender, and his second sent the ball low beyond the goalkeeper.

Celta responded well rather than folding. They began to keep the ball more patiently, with their midfielders dropping deeper to create passing angles and their wide players stretching Celtic’s back line. The equaliser came in the 56th minute when Iglesias timed his run perfectly to meet a cross from the right and guided a header into the far corner.

After the goal, the game became more open. Celtic pushed forward in search of a second, but that left space for Celta to counter. The winner arrived in the 83rd minute: Swedberg received the ball on the edge of the box, shifted it onto his stronger foot, and curled a precise effort past the goalkeeper. Celtic threw bodies forward in the final minutes, but Celta defended their lead with maturity and managed the closing phases well.

Tactical Story

Celtic’s early press was effective, but it became harder to sustain as the match wore on. Celta’s midfielders adapted by moving the ball quickly and using the space behind Celtic’s advanced full-backs. The visitors also targeted the area between centre-back and full-back, where Iglesias’s movement caused problems throughout the second half.

Celta’s decision to keep an extra midfielder central helped them control second balls and slow Celtic’s transitions. Once they equalised, they looked the more composed side. Celtic, by contrast, became increasingly direct and left themselves exposed to counter-attacks. The winning goal came from exactly that scenario: Celtic committed players forward, Celta won the ball back, and Swedberg had the quality to finish the chance.

Standout Players

Borja Iglesias was central to Celta’s comeback. His equalising header changed the mood of the match, and his link-up play gave the visitors a focal point in attack. Williot Swedberg delivered the decisive moment with a finish of real quality and worked tirelessly off the ball. In midfield, Celta’s composure under pressure allowed them to weather Celtic’s early storm.

For Celtic, Daizen Maeda was the standout performer. His pace and direct running caused constant problems, and his goal was a reward for his aggressive movement. Callum McGregor tried to drive the team forward from midfield, while the defence made several important blocks, but Celtic could not maintain their control after the interval.

What the Result Means

The win is a significant one for RC Celta in the UEFA Europa League league-phase standings. Away victories in Europe are always valuable, and coming from behind at Celtic Park will give the Spanish side confidence for the matches ahead. For Celtic, the defeat is a frustrating setback: the home side showed plenty of attacking intent but were punished for the spaces they left behind when chasing the game.

With the Europa League table beginning to take shape, this result could prove important in the race for knockout-stage qualification. Celtic will need to respond quickly, while Celta can build on a performance that combined resilience with clinical finishing.