Celta Vigo pulled off a stunning upset at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, defeating Atletico Madrid 1-0 thanks to Borja Iglesias' clinical finish in the 62nd minute.
Atletico Madrid dominated possession and territory but lacked the cutting edge needed to break down a resolute Celta Vigo defense. The visitors executed a disciplined game plan and struck at the perfect moment to secure a crucial three points in their battle for European qualification.
Atletico started brightly, controlling the ball from kickoff with 56% possession. The home side pressed forward with intent, testing Celta's backline early. However, the visitors remained compact and organized, frustrating Atletico's attacking moves in the opening stages.
Alex Baena emerged as Atletico's most dangerous player in the first half. The midfielder created space with intelligent movement and linked play effectively between defense and attack. Despite their dominance, Atletico struggled to find a clear opening against Celta's well-drilled shape.
Celta offered little going forward but remained dangerous on the counter-attack. The away side's discipline paid dividends as they kept Atletico at arm's length. Ionuț Radu made a comfortable save to deny any early breakthrough, with Atletico's expected goals standing at just 1.98 after 45 minutes.
The first half ended goalless, though Atletico had created the better chances. They registered 20 total shots compared to Celta's three, but accuracy remained their biggest problem. Ten corners failed to produce the breakthrough they needed.
Atletico pressed harder after the restart, sensing they needed to find a way through. The pressure mounted as the home side pushed more bodies forward. Yet Celta remained patient, waiting for their moment to strike.
That moment arrived in the 62nd minute. Borja Iglesias latched onto a loose ball and fired past Atletico's goalkeeper with clinical precision. The goal sent shockwaves through the stadium as the visitors took an unexpected lead.
Atletico responded immediately, searching for an equalizer. Koke and Marcos Llorente drove forward with renewed urgency. Despite their efforts, Celta's defense held firm, with Javi Rodríguez providing crucial defensive cover.
The statistics told the story of Atletico's frustration. They managed just one shot on target from 20 total attempts. Celta, meanwhile, needed only one chance to find the back of the net, with Iglesias' conversion proving decisive.
Yellow cards flew in the closing stages as tensions rose. Baena received a booking for Atletico in the 66th minute, while Celta's Iñigo Moriba and Felipe López also saw yellow. The disciplinary issues reflected the intensity as Atletico chased an equalizer that never came.
The defeat leaves Atletico Madrid in fourth place with 63 points from 34 matches. Their recent form has suffered, with just one win in their last five games. Celta Vigo climbs to sixth with 47 points, boosting their European hopes with this crucial victory away from home.
