Atletico 0-1 Celta: Iglesias keeps Champions League hopes alive

Atletico Madrid missed out on the chance of sealing automatic qualification for the Champions League with three games remaining as they were beaten 1-0 at home to Celta Vigo.

Match Report 

Diego Simeone’s men, who were dumped out of UEFA's premier competition at the semi-final stage by Arsenal in midweek, did go close in the opening 15 minutes as winger Ademola Lookman struck the crossbar with a shot.

Antonie Griezmann, starting his penultimate match at the Metropolitano before his time at the club comes to an end in the summer, forced a save from goalkeeper Ionut Radu in the 28th minute.

Atletico went close again six minutes after the restart as Alex Baena’s cutback was met instinctively by Alexander Sorloth in the six-yard box, but Radu made an acrobatic stop to deny the Norwegian.

Baena was a threat once again down the right side as his fine cross was met by Lookman at the back post, but he could only balloon his effort over the crossbar from just yards out.

The visitors took the lead against the run of play in the 62nd minute as a rare counter-attack saw Williot Swedberg thread a pass through to Borja Iglesias, who produced an impudent lop which sailed over the head of goalkeeper Jan Oblak.

Atletico struggled to create clear-cut chances in their response, as Sorloth failed to threaten Radu with a header that flew well over the crossbar, while substitute Cubo drove an effort wide of the far post with his left foot. 

Data Debrief: Atletico produce laboured display after Champions League hangover

Simeone's side were far from their best, but they were largely dominant throughout, with Celta coming away with the win despite an xG of just 0.13 compared to Atleti's 2.04.

This was Atleti's first defeat to Celta since September 2018, and their first home loss to their opponents since June 2007.

Iglesias has been a vital player for this Celta side, and he came up with his 14th league goal of the season, with the Spaniard now just one goal shy of equalling his best ever tally during the 2022-23 season for Real Betis.

Iago Aspas, meanwhile, was able to mark his 400th LaLiga appearance for the club with a victory, with Celta now three points behind fifth-place Betis.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

11' Highlight from Atletico vs Celta

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57' Match Event for Atletico vs Celta

62' GOAL! Atletico 0-1 Celta (Borja Iglesias)

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92' Highlight from Atletico vs Celta

Line-ups

Atletico XI: Oblak, Griezmann, Koke, Sørloth, Gimenez, Llorente, Dávid Hancko, Lookman, Álex Baena, Matteo Ruggeri, Marc Pubill

Subs: Lenglet, Musso, Le Normand, Molina, Thiago Almada, Salvi Esquivel, Rodrigo Mendoza, Obed Vargas, Julio Díaz, Iker Luque, Javi Morcillo, Miguel Cubo

Celta XI: Alonso, Iglesias, Radu, Óscar Mingueza, Ilaix Moriba, Álvaro Núñez, Williot Swedberg, Pablo Durán, Yoel Lago, Javi Rodríguez, Fer López

Subs: Aspas, Villar, Mihailo Ristic, Aidoo, Carreira, Ferran Jutglà, Manu Fernández, Carlos Domínguez, Hugo Sotelo, Hugo Álvarez, Jones El-Abdellaoui, Andrés Antañón