Barca helps their rivals avoid relegation in La Liga.

Spain beat champions Barca 2-1 in the final round, securing Celta Vigo's survival and their 12th consecutive season in La Liga.

Before the final round, Celta were 17th and only one point above the relegation zone. Therefore, if they dropped points against Barca, Celta risked relegation if Valladolid beat Getafe in the other match played at the same time.

Eric Garcia (number 24) fails to keep up with Celta striker Seferovic in a challenge. Photo: RC Celta — Eric Garcia (number 24) fails to keep up with Celta striker Seferovic in a challenge. Photo: *RC Celta*

Difficulties quickly befell the home team when they conceded a goal in the 11th minute. Robert Lewandowski's missed shot inadvertently became an assist for Franck Kessie, who tapped the ball into the net from close range past goalkeeper Ivan Villar. However, VAR intervened and disallowed the goal for offside.

Having escaped defeat, Celta improved their performance and created several chances from the second half of the first half. In the 42nd minute, Gabriel Veiga sprinted past both Marcos Alonso and Andreas Christensen before firing a low shot diagonally into the net, beating Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

In the 65th minute, Veiga completed his brace with a lofted cross from the right wing into the far corner, the ball hitting the inside of the post and beyond Ter Stegen's reach. At 21 years and 8 days old, Veiga is the youngest player to score two goals against Barca since Sergio Aguero in March 2009 (20 years and 272 days), and the youngest Spanish player to achieve this since Fernando Torres in February 2005 (20 years and 323 days).

Ansu Fati's close-range header did not change the course of the match. With a 2-1 victory, Celta not only secured their survival in La Liga but also finished 13th with 43 points, marking their 12th consecutive season in the league.

Key events of the Celta Vigo 2-1 Barca match.

In the other match played at the same time, Valladolid drew 0-0 with Getafe at home and finished 18th with 40 points. This marks Valladolid's ninth relegation, and they will join Espanyol and Elche in the Spanish Second Division next season.

Meanwhile, yesterday's defeat at Balaidos didn't affect Barca because they secured the league title early. After the match, coach Xavi said Barca missed many good opportunities and congratulated Lewandowski on winning the Golden Boot in his first season in La Liga. The Polish striker scored 23 goals, four more than second-placed Karim Benzema.

Xavi acknowledged that Barcelona had a fantastic season, winning both the domestic double of La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup. However, he wants the club to "take another step towards winning the Champions League" by strengthening the squad in the 2023 summer transfer window. Xavi believes Barca needs two players for each position to compete in the continental competition.

Starting lineup :

Celta : Villar, Unai Nunez, Galan, Oscar Mingueza (Vazquez 67), Carlos Diminguez, De la Torre (Tapia 70), Beltran, Veiga (Cervi 71), Seferovic (Aspas 78), Carles Perez.

Barca : Ter Stegen (Pena 63), Roberto, Alonso, Christensen (Gavi 46), Garcia (Carral 72), Kessie, De Jong, Torres (Fati 63), Raphinha (Dembele 63), Lewandowski

Hong Duy

Source link