Sensation in La Liga: Atletico Madrid lose at home to Celta Vigo (0-1)
In the 35th round of La Liga, Atletico Madrid suffered a narrow 0-1 home defeat to Celta Vigo. The only goal of the match was scored by Iglesias in the 62nd minute.
Main Event
On May 9, 2026, at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, the 35th round of the Spanish La Liga took place, ending with a sensational defeat of Atletico Madrid by Celta Vigo with a score of 0-1. The only goal of the match was scored in the 62nd minute: visiting striker Borja Iglesias, after a pass from Williot Swedberg, broke through the center and brilliantly lobbed the onrushing Jan Oblak — a parachute shot that was exemplary in technical execution.
For Diego Simeone's team, this defeat was only their third home loss in the current championship campaign. The Colchoneros had not lost to Celta since September 2018, and at home they had not lost to the club from Vigo since June 2007.
Details and Statistics
The statistical picture of the match looks paradoxical. Atletico took 17 shots on goal against just 2 from the visitors, and the expected goals (xG) stood at 2.04 for the hosts and a dismal 0.13 for Celta. However, the cold shower for the fans was precisely that "famous efficiency" in the final third, the lack of which Simeone spoke about after the match.
The hosts created their first chance in the 12th minute, when Ademola Lookman, after a pass from Alex Baena, hit the crossbar of Ionuț Radu's goal with a magnificent strike. A few minutes later, Antoine Griezmann, playing his penultimate match at the Metropolitano before the end of his career at the club, fired a powerful free kick — the visiting goalkeeper was again alert. In the 28th minute, the French forward forced Radu to make another save after a low, hard shot.
The culmination of missed chances came in the 52nd minute: Alexander Sørloth, after a cross from Baena, spectacularly backheeled from a few meters out, but Radu, with an acrobatic leap, deflected the ball for a corner. This save would later be called key — ten minutes later, Celta delivered their decisive blow. Swedberg won the ball on the left edge of the penalty area and rolled it to Iglesias for a shot. In front of the forward were both Oblak and Robin Le Normand, blocking all possible angles for a direct shot. Borja made the only correct decision — he chipped the ball in a high arc, and it, flying over the outstretched hands of the Slovenian goalkeeper, softly landed in the net. For Iglesias, this goal was his 14th in the league — one less than his personal record in the 2022/23 season with Betis.
In the second half, Celta deliberately disrupted the game's tempo. Immediately after the goal, Iglesias gave way to Iago Aspas, for whom this match was his 400th in La Liga wearing the shirt of his home club. The remaining half hour turned into a series of positional attacks by the hosts and the fragmentation of the game into short segments by the Galicians. Thiago Almada, after coming on as a substitute, threatened Radu's goal from distance several times, but the Romanian goalkeeper was flawless and ultimately kept a clean sheet away from home.
Context and Significance
Atletico's defeat must be viewed in a broader context. Simeone's team approached the match after being eliminated in the Champions League semi-finals by London's Arsenal, and the emotional exhaustion clearly affected the players' actions. Moreover, during the match, the Colchoneros lost José María Giménez to injury after a collision with the same Iglesias.
After 34 matches played, Atletico, with 63 points, remain in fourth place. The main problem is that the team missed the opportunity to secure their place in the Champions League early. The gap to third-placed Villarreal is five points, and catching the Yellow Submarine by the end of the season is becoming an extremely difficult task. The fight for third place, which grants direct entry to the main European club tournament without qualification, is practically over for Atletico.
For Celta, this success means a sharp rise in the standings. Claudio Giraldez's team moved up to sixth place with 47 points. The club from Vigo has come close to the European competition zone — only three points separate them from fifth-placed Betis. Given that the Sevillians have not yet played their match of the round, the intrigue in the battle for a European spot is heightened to the limit.
Interesting fact: the match became historic for Celta — the Galicians had never before won at the Metropolitano. Now this unpleasant tradition has been broken, and at the most opportune moment for the team at the end of the season.
What's Next / Next Match Preview
Atletico Madrid travel to Osasuna at the El Sadar stadium in Pamplona in the next round. The match promises to be extremely tough: the Navarrese are in the middle of the table and are known for their hard-playing style at home. For the Colchoneros, there is no room for error anymore — any loss of points could jeopardize even the fourth position if the pursuers step up in the final stretch.
Celta, inspired by the away victory in Madrid, host bottom-placed Levante at their Balaídos stadium on May 12. If they win, Giraldez's team could get very close to the coveted fifth place and practically guarantee themselves participation in European competitions next season. Given that after this there will be final rounds against more serious opponents, the match against the Valencians becomes key for realizing the Galician club's European ambitions.
— Editorial Team
