Bartra and Álvarez trade blows in a frenetic draw
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 26/100. When two teams fighting for survival share the points, the sting of a draw cuts deeper than any defeat.
Balaídos erupts: two goals that rewrote the script
Balance became the enemy of progress. Real Betis arrived in Vigo chasing a lifeline in the standings, and for 45 minutes they had it: Marc Bartra finished at the back post in the 45th minute, teed up by G. Lo Celso, putting the Sevillians within touching distance of three points. Then football's cruelty struck. Two minutes after the restart, Hugo Álvarez leveled almost without warning, restoring Celta Vigo's hopes and condemning both sides to a night of what-ifs.
With 14 corners distributed between them, the intensity of set-piece pressure never relented. Celta controlled possession (53% vs 47%) and unleashed 14 shots, though only five found the target. Hugo Sotelo orchestrated from midfield, crafting four clear-cut chances for his teammates, yet the precision required to finish was absent when it mattered most.
Real Betis, surgical in their passing accuracy (90%), generated little attacking threat—just seven total shots—but Bartra's defensive solidity proved the difference in moments of duress. The two-minute reversal encapsulated a match where neither team could establish narrative control. Celta's xG of 0.76 went unrewarded; Betis' 0.32 yielded exactly one goal before the leveler. Both leave with one point, both with regrets.
Key Questions
Why does this draw sting for both teams?
Celta extends their winless run to six matches; Betis stalls mid-table. Both needed the three points.
Who controlled the match?
Celta dominated possession and shot volume (14 vs 7), but Betis struck first until Álvarez's instant reply.
What changed after halftime?
Álvarez's 47th-minute leveler erased Betis' advantage and reset the upset factor to zero instantly.
Why is this match rated 26/100?
Our Futmetrix algorithm analyzed intensity, balance, and stakes. The final score of 26/100 places this match in the "Skip It" category.