Celta de Vigo 2–3 Levante | La Liga | 12 May 2026

Result Summary

In a compelling La Liga encounter at Balaídos, Levante claimed a dramatic 3–2 victory over Celta de Vigo, overturning a deficit twice to secure all three points. The result was a genuine upset, with the visitors showing character and clinical edge to edge past a Celta side that dominated possession but ultimately paid the price for defensive lapses at crucial moments.

Match Analysis

The match burst into life almost immediately, with Ferran Jutlgà Blanc opening the scoring in just the 4th minute, finishing with his right foot from an assist by Hugo Álvarez. Celta appeared in control and, with 57% possession and 88% passing accuracy, they dictated much of the early rhythm. However, Levante proved dangerous on the counter — their 12 key passes to Celta's 9 told its own story about their directness and efficiency.

Levante levelled just before the break when Kevin Arriaga converted in the 43rd minute, with Jeremy Toljan providing the assist. It was a blow to Celta's composure heading into the dressing room, and the momentum swing continued almost immediately after the restart. Jutlgà Blanc restored Celta's lead on 48 minutes — his second of the afternoon, this time finishing with his left foot from a Javi Rueda assist — but the advantage proved short-lived.

Luís Castro made a key intervention at half-time, introducing Iker Losada Aragunde for Kareem Tunde, which helped Levante gain more traction. Adrián De la Fuente Barquilla made it 2–2 on 57 minutes, capitalising on a Kervin Arriaga assist, and the visitors completed the turnaround through Roger Brugué Ayguadé, who headed home on 63 minutes — just moments after coming off the bench — assisted by Jon Ander Olasagasti. It was a stunning impact substitution that flipped the match entirely.

Celta coach Claudio Giráldez responded with a triple substitution on 66 minutes, introducing Borja Iglesias Quintas, Pablo Durán Fernández, and Williot Swedberg, but the changes couldn't alter the scoreline. The hosts' attacking intent was reflected in their 6 shots on target and 46 dangerous attacks — matching Levante's 46 — yet the clinical edge belonged to the visitors, who fired 14 total shots to Celta's 11. Celta's 5 offsides also highlighted the frustration of their forward play in the final stages.

Diego Varela Pampín picked up a yellow card on 60 minutes for a foul, and goalkeeper Mathew Ryan was cautioned in stoppage time for time-wasting — understandable given the scoreline Levante were protecting.

Prediction Review

Our pre-match forecast of a 2–1 Celta de Vigo home win — with a 50% probability assigned to the home side — proved incorrect. The prediction reflected Celta's home advantage and Levante's underdog status, but it underestimated the visitors' resilience and their ability to turn a deficit into a win. The 61/100 confidence rating in hindsight appropriately reflected some uncertainty, though the actual outcome — a Levante comeback victory — fell outside our forecast.

Key Takeaways

• Jutlgà Blanc was outstanding with a brace, but Levante's collective response was stronger.
• Brugué Ayguadé's immediate impact as a substitute was the pivotal moment of the match.
• Levante's efficiency in possession (83% passing accuracy, 12 key passes) belied their lower ball share.
• Celta's 57% possession failed to translate into a winning return — a warning sign for Giráldez going forward.