Sportsupdated 53m ago2 min read
Javi Rodríguez Scores Twice as Celta de Vigo Beat Celtic 2-1 at Celtic Park
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Javi Rodríguez scored both goals to overturn Celtic's opener. Celta Vigo defeated Celtic 2-1 at Celtic Park in the Europa League.
Save coverage image
Explore source coverage 4 source types
Directory totals describe our source library, not outlets checked for this story.
Celta’s comeback at Parkhead
Celta de Vigo overturned Celtic’s 47th-minute lead to win 2-1 at Celtic Park, with Javi Rodríguez scoring twice in three minutes to earn their first points in the Europa League. Mika Baur put Celtic ahead in the 47th minute after Haissem Hassan delivered a cross and a rebound fell to Baur, but Javi Rodríguez leveled in the 68th minute from a right-side free kick delivered by Hugo Álvarez.
Javi Rodríguez then completed the turnaround three minutes later with a curved right-foot shot that beat Sam Johnstone, and the Vigo side held on as Celtic pressed in the final stretch. Claudio Giráldez’s side condemned Celtic to their third consecutive defeat in Europe, after Celtic had already lost three Europa League games and had been described as having a “European collapse” in the match build-up.
O’Neill, McFadden, and the blame
Martin O’Neill bemoaned marginal moments and refereeing decisions after Celtic conceded from a free-kick, and he said, “We conceded a free-kick and I thought a second before that we should have had a foul for us.” James McFadden argued that Celtic’s problem was not just the moments, saying on Sportsound, “The performances at this level haven't been good enough.” O’Neill also said that if Liam Scales’ header had gone in to make it 2-0, “we get the three points,” and he added that Celtic were “still in with a chance [of progressing].”
Mika Baur admitted Celtic did not do enough to win, and he said, “I cannot tell you, sorry.” Pat Bonner said Celtic were “not good enough at this level,” arguing that Celtic “couldn't get close to them” as Celta moved the ball well.
Next matches and pressure
Celtic’s next European outing came on 5 November as they host Besiktas, with the BBC framing the task as reversing “their continental woes” after losing their last four European matches and conceding 14 goals in the process.
The BBC also said Celtic were “35th of 36 teams in the competition” after another European collapse, leaving them with a “massive mountain to climb” in the Europa League.
Bolavip’s preview placed the match at Celtic Park on Thursday, October 22, and it listed Celtic’s next match as vs. Beşiktaş on Thursday, November 5.
The Irish News quoted O’Neill saying Celtic had to “find a way” in Europe after the 2-1 loss, and it recorded his view that “there’s still five games ahead” despite the disappointment.
Eurosport’s preview added that Celta traveled with five confirmed injuries and that Borja Iglesias was among the notable absences for Claudio Giráldez’s side.