UEFA Europa League League Stage - 7
Celta Vigo 2 - 1 FT Lille
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
1' W. Swedberg (I. Aspas)
↓ N. Bentaleb ↑A. Mandi 10'
28' Hugo Sotelo
29' Hugo Sotelo
31' Marcos Alonso
Nathan Ngoy 32'
33' Óscar Mingueza
Aïssa Mandi 40'
HT
46' ↓ I. Aspas ↑S. Carreira
46' ↓ B. Iglesias ↑P. Duran
↓ Alexsandro ↑M. Fernandez-Pardo 46'
↓ T. Meunier ↑T. Santos 46'
64' Williot Swedberg
69' C. Starfelt (M. Roman)
71' ↓ W. Swedberg ↑J. El Abdellaoui
↓ F. Correia ↑S. Diaoune 74'
81' Ionuț Radu
O. Giroud (S. Diaoune) 86'
↓ M. Broholm ↑C. Verdonk 87'
89' ↓ O. Mingueza ↑H. Alvarez
90'+2 ↓ J. Rueda ↑M. Ristic
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Celta Vigo
Goalkeepers
I. Radu 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
J. Rodriguez 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
86%
Duel Win %
C. Starfelt 
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
M. Alonso
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
J. Rueda 
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
7
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
H. Sotelo 
FRIENDLY FIRE
Red Card
Mistake
Red Card
Mistake
2
Fouls
5
Rating
M. Roman 
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
1
Assists
16%
Pass Acc
O. Mingueza 
NPC
89
Minutes
89
Minutes
17%
Pass Acc
6.6
Rating
Forwards
I. Aspas 
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
0
Contribution
0
Contribution
7.5
Rating
Yes
Captain
B. Iglesias
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
W. Swedberg
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
BENCH
I. Villar 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
S. Carreira
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Fernandez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Ristic
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Y. Lago
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
F. Cervi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
H. Alvarez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
H. Burcio
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
F. Jutgla
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
B. Zaragoza
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
P. Duran
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. El Abdellaoui
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
19
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Lille
Goalkeepers
B. Ozer
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
T. Meunier
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
N. Ngoy 
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Alexsandro
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
R. Perraud
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
5
Tackles
67%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
M. Broholm
NPC
87
Minutes
87
Minutes
47%
Pass Acc
6.6
Rating
N. Mukau
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
N. Bentaleb
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
9
Total Mins
10
Entry
F. Correia
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
74
Total Mins
74
Entry
Forwards
H. Haraldsson
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
0
Assists
59%
Pass Acc
O. Giroud 
CLUTCH HERO
86
Goal Time
86
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
6.5
Rating
BENCH
A. Bodart
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
T. Sajous
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
C. Mbemba
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
T. Santos
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
36%
Pass Acc
A. Mandi
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
C. Verdonk
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
10
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Goffi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
L. Baret
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Boussadia
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Fernandez-Pardo
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
15%
Pass Acc
S. Diaoune 
SUPER SUB
1
Assist
1
Assist
16
Minutes
6.9
Rating
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07/30/2024 | Lille | 3 - 1 | Celta Vigo | Friendlies Clubs | Stade du Hainaut |
07/30/2024
Celta Vigo Win
Lille Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 7 GD: +11
P: 7 GD: +7
P: 7 GD: +7
P: 7 GD: +8
P: 7 GD: +6
P: 7 GD: +7
P: 7 GD: +5
P: 7 GD: +5
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: +3
P: 7 GD: +1
P: 7 GD: +5
P: 7 GD: +5
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: +3
P: 7 GD: +2
P: 7 GD: -2
P: 7 GD: +2
P: 7 GD: -1
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: -3
P: 7 GD: -3
P: 7 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: -7
P: 7 GD: -8
P: 7 GD: -7
P: 7 GD: -7
P: 7 GD: -7
P: 7 GD: -8
P: 7 GD: -10
League Standings
P: 8 GD: +13
P: 8 GD: +8
P: 8 GD: +10
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +7
P: 8 GD: +4
P: 8 GD: +7
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +1
P: 8 GD: +8
P: 8 GD: +5
P: 8 GD: +1
P: 8 GD: +4
P: 8 GD: +3
P: 8 GD: +3
P: 8 GD: +3
P: 8 GD: +2
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -3
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -6
P: 8 GD: -6
P: 8 GD: -7
P: 8 GD: -8
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -5
P: 8 GD: -9
P: 8 GD: -8
P: 8 GD: -10
P: 8 GD: -11
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Ten-Man Celta Vigo Defy the Odds to Sink Lille
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 65/100. A phenomenal display of defensive grit saw a ten-man Celta Vigo punish a wasteful Lille side in front of a roaring Balaídos.
Lightning Strikes First
It took mere seconds to set Estadio Abanca Balaídos alight. W. Swedberg converted a brilliant feed from I. Aspas in the very first minute, catching the visitors entirely cold. The Stakes were immediately obvious for Lille, who arrived desperate to leapfrog the Galicians in the playoff spots. Celta dictated the early tempo, looking entirely comfortable with their slim advantage as they sprayed the ball around the pitch. The French side scrambled to find a foothold, but the hosts pressed relentlessly in midfield, breaking up any attempts at building rhythm. It looked like a routine European night for the home crowd, with the Galician side firmly in the driving seat right up until the match flipped completely on its head.
The VAR Flashpoint
Everything changed in the 28th minute. A heavy, mistimed challenge from Hugo Sotelo drew the referee over to the pitch-side monitor, and the resulting red card fundamentally altered the Balance of the contest. Down to ten men for the remainder of the evening, Celta immediately retreated into a deep, compact defensive block to protect their fragile lead. Lille seized total control of the midfield, eventually racking up a staggering 74% possession and firing 20 total shots at the home goal. Hakon Arnar Haraldsson orchestrated wave after wave of attacks for the visitors, constantly probing for weaknesses around the penalty area. Yet, for all their overwhelming territorial dominance, Lille severely lacked the clinical edge required to punish the shorthanded hosts before the half-time whistle blew.
Defensive Masterclass
Despite facing an absolute barrage of crosses and through balls, Celta produced a monumental Intensity to hold the line and frustrate their opponents. Then, entirely against the run of play, they doubled their advantage. C. Starfelt bundled the ball home from a M. Roman assist in the 69th minute, triggering absolute pandemonium in the Galician stands. Lille finally broke through late when veteran O. Giroud finished off a sharp pass from substitute S. Diaoune, setting up a nervy finish, but it proved to be too little, too late. Celta's heroic rearguard action secured three vital points, keeping them firmly in the Europa League playoff picture while leaving Lille to rue their shocking inefficiency.
Key Questions
How did the red card for Hugo Sotelo impact the match?
Sotelo's 29th-minute dismissal forced Celta into a deep defensive shell, handing Lille 74% possession and total control of the match's tempo.
How did substitute Williot Swedberg change the game?
Swedberg was actually a starter, and his lightning-fast goal in the very first minute completely changed the tactical landscape, giving Celta an immediate advantage.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Celta Vigo and Lille Grind for Playoff Safety
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 33/100. A gritty European tie where securing a top-24 playoff spot completely overshadows the pursuit of beautiful football.
The Setup
This UEFA Europa League clash on January 22, 2026, brings European nights under the lights at Estadio Abanca Balaídos. It pits 16th against 18th in the sweeping 36-team table. With Celta Vigo on 13 points and Lille trailing by just a single point, a modest Stakes rating reflects their shared reality. Both sides are hovering comfortably inside the top-24 playoff line, but they remain miles away from the coveted top-eight direct qualification spots. Celta's erratic run yields a middling Form grade, having dropped points in three of their last five outings. Meanwhile, Lille's record suggests similar inconsistency on the continent. Expect a tactical chess match where a low Balance of overall quality leads to a cautious, attritional 90 minutes.
Key Battle
The spotlight naturally falls on Celta's creative hub, Bryan Zaragoza, going head-to-head with Lille's defensive anchor, Aïssa Mandi. Zaragoza's elite Stars rating is heavily justified by his three assists this campaign, acting as the primary spark alongside Pablo Durán's goalscoring threat. Mandi must organize the French side's backline to neutralize Zaragoza's unpredictable movement. If Lille's defense bends, they will rely on their goalkeeper Berke Özer—who has been genuinely sensational with 14 saves and three penalty stops in the tournament so far.
Our Prediction
Lille's defense has been reasonably stubborn, conceding just nine goals across their European campaign, but their attack consistently stutters on the road. Celta Vigo will dictate the tempo and dominate possession on home soil, but breaking down the entrenched visitors will prove immensely difficult. We anticipate a cagey 1-1 draw where neither manager is willing to risk their solid playoff positioning by chasing a late winner.