Vigo had carried the promise of a European night deep into added time, with Balaídos still hoping Celta could turn a spirited display against Juventus into the kind of result that reshapes a difficult autumn. Instead, the stadium was left with the sharper memory of a late Italian winner: Randal Kolo Muani rising to meet Andrea Cambiaso’s delivery in the 92nd minute and completing Juventus’s 2-1 comeback.
The defeat was Celta’s second in this Europa League campaign, and it arrived after the Galicians had looked capable of taking at least a point from an intense contest. Claudio Giráldez’s side had led through Hugo Álvarez, resisted long periods of Juventus possession and brought Iago Aspas on in search of a decisive late moment. Yet the hosts could not preserve their advantage, leaving them with another disappointment before returning to an uneven domestic schedule.
A bright Celta opening fades
Juventus began with control of the ball but initially found little space to threaten Radi’s goal. Celta were more compact and selective, although Willot tested the Italian side early with a sixth-minute effort that was gathered comfortably.
The breakthrough came in the 18th minute, at the end of Celta’s first truly flowing attacking move. Their forwards combined through a sequence of passes before Willot supplied the final ball for Hugo Álvarez, who finished from close range. It was a timely strike, with Juventus beginning to establish a firmer grip on possession.
There was little demand on either goalkeeper before the interval, though Nick Woltemade had an opportunity to level shortly before half-time and failed to take it. The German forward would be much more clinical after the restart.
Juventus returned with greater urgency, pressing Celta’s build-up and forcing the home side to work harder for attacking territory. Ferran Jutglà continued to trouble the visitors, but Juventus carried the clearer menace. Francisco Conceição drew a strong save from Radi with a fierce attempt in the 52nd minute.
Six minutes later, the equaliser arrived. Marcos Alonso was unable to bring a loose ball under control, and Woltemade reacted quickest. The striker seized on the error and finished to make it 1-1.
Juventus find the last word
From there, the match opened into an end-to-end affair, with both teams pursuing a winner rather than settling for the draw. Javi Rueda, combining effectively with Jutglà, had two chances but could not provide the final touch. Giráldez introduced Aspas and Burcio in the 75th minute as Celta sought renewed energy and invention in the final third.
Juventus also had their moments. Nico González went close when his shot passed narrowly beyond the post, a warning that brought anxiety around Balaídos. Celta answered, but their work in the final metres lacked the calm and precision needed to restore their lead.
Then came the decisive moment. Cambiaso sent a cross into the area in the second minute of stoppage time, and Kolo Muani headed home to turn the game Juventus’s way. For the travelling Italians, it was a late reward for a second-half recovery. For Celta, it was a bruising conclusion to a night in which their early enterprise and resilience ultimately brought no European return.
