Celta Vigo’s difficult opening to the season travelled east to Nicosia on Wednesday, where Omonia struck late to hand Claudio Giráldez’s side a 1-0 defeat in their first Europa League league-phase match.
Celta concede at the end in Nicosia
Without the injured Iago Aspas, the visitors had more possession for long periods but could not convert their territorial control into a goal. The setback extends an unwanted sequence: Celta remain without a win after four draws and two defeats in their opening six LaLiga fixtures, followed by this European loss.
- Omonia created the stronger early openings, testing Celta goalkeeper Andrei Radu repeatedly from outside the penalty area. Jean-Kévin Duverne, Panagiotis Andreou, Ewandro and Mateo Maric all tried their luck, but Radu made a series of important saves.
- Celta gradually settled into possession before the interval, though their attacking play lacked the final pass and penetration. Omonia goalkeeper Fabiano held a Pablo Durán effort, while Miguel Durán fired over the crossbar.
- The Cypriot side began the second half with renewed confidence, before Celta again took command of the ball without finding a breakthrough. Álvaro Núñez sent an attempt too high.
- Pablo Durán thought he had put Celta ahead in the 69th minute, only for VAR to confirm an offside decision and rule out the goal.
- Borja Iglesias’ introduction gave the visitors more menace. Miguel Román had a shot blocked by Ewandro, Marcos Alonso went close, and Carl Starfelt also missed a significant chance.
- With Celta enjoying their best spell, Omonia broke the pattern in the 88th minute. Jure Balkovec found the net from outside the area, leaving Radu with no realistic chance of preventing the decisive strike.
- Balkovec then made a crucial intervention in stoppage time to stop Celta from finding an equaliser.
A hard start to another European campaign
The defeat is a sharp contrast to Celta’s previous Europa League run, when the Galician club reached the quarter-finals. In Cyprus, however, their improved late attacking pressure brought no reward and Omonia protected a result that had looked unlikely during Celta’s strongest phase.
Celta’s second league-phase fixture comes at Balaídos on 15 October, when Juventus visit Vigo.
Headline: Celta Vigo punished late by Omonia in Nicosia Europa League opener
SEO Title: Omonia 1-0 Celta Vigo: Late Balkovec goal decides Europa League opener
SEO Description: Celta Vigo lost 1-0 at Omonia in Nicosia after Jure Balkovec scored in the 88th minute. Pablo Durán had a goal disallowed as Celta’s winless start continued.
