Celta Vigo continues to assert its dominance on the European stage, navigating a potentially tricky second leg to secure a place in the UEFA Europa League Round of 16. Following a professional performance at the Abanca Balaídos, the Spanish side earned a 1-0 victory on the night, translating to a comfortable 3-1 aggregate win over Greek giants PAOK. This result further cements Celta’s reputation as a "Greek specialist," marking their sixth consecutive victory against Hellenic opposition in major continental competitions.
A Tense Opening Exchange In Galicia
The atmosphere in Vigo was electric, yet the opening stages of the match suggested a cautious approach from both managers. Celta, holding a 2-1 advantage from the first leg in Thessaloniki, seemed content to dictate the tempo without overextending. Meanwhile, PAOK faced a daunting historical precedent; the visitors had failed to record a single victory in Spain in their eight previous attempts, managing only two draws and suffering six losses.
For the first half-hour, the tactical battle dominated the spectacle. Both sides prioritized defensive shape over offensive flair, resulting in a cagey affair with very little goalmouth action. It took until the 30th minute for the home fans to truly find their voices. A trademark fluid passing sequence saw the evergreen Iago Aspas find space inside the penalty area. His whipped cross flashed dangerously across the face of the goal, but Matias Vecino was unable to provide the finishing touch, missing by a matter of inches.
As the halftime whistle approached, the "Celestes" began to monopolize possession. However, the Greek side’s defense—known as the "Aspromavri"—lived up to its resilient reputation. By the interval, the scoreline remained deadlocked at 0-0, with neither goalkeeper forced into a meaningful save, leaving the tie delicately balanced but firmly in Celta's control.
Tactical Shifts And Spanish Intensity
The second half began with a noticeable shift in intensity. Whatever was said in the home dressing room had an immediate impact, as Celta Vigo emerged with a significantly higher defensive line and a more aggressive pressing trigger. Within four minutes of the restart, the deadlock was nearly broken through a lightning-fast counter-attack.
Javi Rueda was released down the right flank by a pinpoint long-range delivery. The Spaniard showed excellent vision to pick out Borja Iglesias lurking on the edge of the box. The striker’s curling effort seemed destined for the corner, but Antonis Tsiftsis produced a spectacular save to keep the visitors' slim hopes alive. It was a warning shot that PAOK failed to heed, as they struggled to maintain any sustained periods of possession under the relentless pressure of the Celta midfield.
The Decisive Moment From Swedberg
The breakthrough finally arrived just after the hour mark, a direct result of Celta’s high-pressure system. Exploiting a lapse in the Greek side’s build-up play, the home side swarmed the ball carrier, forcing a turnover deep in the PAOK half. The ball was quickly funneled to Iglesias, whose delicate touch and spatial awareness allowed him to slide a pass into the path of the oncoming Williot Swedberg. The young talent made no mistake, calmly slotting a clinical finish into the bottom right corner of the net to put Celta 1-0 up.
With the aggregate lead now stretched to two goals, the task for Razvan Lucescu’s men became insurmountable. To the disappointment of the traveling supporters, PAOK failed to mount a significant comeback. In fact, with only 15 minutes remaining on the clock, the visitors had yet to record a single shot on target. The lack of creative spark meant that Celta goalkeeper Vicente Guaita enjoyed one of the quietest evenings of his European career.
Looking Ahead To The Last Sixteen
As the final whistle blew, the statistics highlighted Celta Vigo’s incredible efficiency in knockout football. The Galician club has now progressed in 10 of their last 11 UEFA knockout ties when winning the first leg. For Lucescu and PAOK, it was a somber end to a journey that never quite caught fire in the second leg, leaving the manager to reflect on a performance that lacked the necessary danger to upset a disciplined Spanish outfit.
Celta Vigo now turns its attention to the Round of 16 draw, where a heavyweight clash awaits. They are set to face either French giants Lyon or the English side Aston Villa. Given their current form and defensive solidity, the "Celestes" will believe they have the tools to continue their march toward European glory.