In a pulsating La Liga clash at Estadio Abanca-Balaídos, Alaves pulled off a remarkable comeback to edge out Celta Vigo 4-3. The match, played on March 22, 2026, saw Ferran Jutglà put on a masterclass in the first half, scoring twice and assisting Hugo Álvarez as Celta raced to a 3-1 lead by halftime. Toni Martínez pulled one back for Alaves just before the break, setting the stage for a dramatic turnaround.
A First Half of Stark Contrasts
Celta Vigo came out firing, with Jutglà opening the scoring in the 19th minute, assisted by Javi Rodríguez. Just eight minutes later, Jutglà turned provider for Álvarez to double the lead. Jutglà's brilliance was further highlighted with his second goal in the 37th minute, assisted by Hugo Sotelo. However, a late strike from Toni Martínez, aided by Ángel Pérez in added time, kept Alaves in contention at 3-1.
Alaves Surge in a Spirited Second Half
Alaves returned to the field with renewed vigor, making four substitutions at the start of the second half. This tactical shift, led by coach adjustments, paid off immediately as Pérez scored in the 50th minute from a Martínez assist. Celta thought they had restored their lead but saw a goal disallowed by VAR for a foul. A dramatic series of late goals from Martínez in the 74th minute and Rebbach in the 78th completed a stunning comeback.
Statistics Highlight a Fierce Contest
Celta Vigo maintained 56% possession and registered 12 shots, with five on target. Alaves, meanwhile, made the most of their opportunities, scoring four from six shots on target. Despite Celta’s higher possession and pass accuracy of 86%, their inability to convert chances and a disallowed goal by VAR defined their downfall.
Looking Ahead
Celta Vigo’s recent form has been inconsistent, and this defeat adds pressure as they strive to maintain European contention. Ferran Jutglà’s exceptional performance, marked by high dribble success and duel wins, remains a bright spot. Alaves, on the other hand, will be buoyed by this performance, showcasing resilience and tactical flexibility that could propel them further up the table.
