García's Late Header Stuns Celta at Balaidos

Both teams arrived at Balaidos with contrasting ambitions - sixth-placed Espanyol seeking to maintain their impressive early-season form, while 12th-placed Celta Vigo desperately needed points to climb away from the lower reaches of LaLiga. The visitors' superior league position told the story as they secured a crucial 0-1 victory through Kike García's late intervention.

The decisive moment arrived with just four minutes remaining when García rose majestically at the left side of the six-yard box to power home Edu Expósito's pinpoint cross following a corner. The substitute striker, introduced just 26 minutes earlier, timed his run perfectly to meet the delivery and send his header into the bottom left corner past the helpless Ionut Radu. García's celebration was muted but meaningful - this was a goal that could define Espanyol's season.

Celta controlled large swathes of the contest, with Iago Aspas orchestrating attacks and Miguel Román providing width down the flanks. Carl Starfelt and Javi Rodríguez posed constant aerial threats from set pieces, but Espanyol's defensive structure, marshalled by Leandro Cabrera and Fernando Calero before his injury, remained resolute. The visitors' game plan centered on absorbing pressure and striking on the counter, with Tyrhys Dolan's pace causing problems for Sergio Carreira throughout.

Despite enjoying 60.5% possession and registering four shots on target to Espanyol's two, Celta struggled to convert their territorial dominance into clear-cut chances. Marko Dmitrovic proved the difference between the sides, producing crucial saves from Pablo Durán in the 90th minute and Javi Rodríguez's header eight minutes earlier. The Serbian goalkeeper's positioning and reflexes frustrated the home crowd, who watched their team pepper the Espanyol goal with 11 shots to no avail.

The turning point came in the 76th minute when Espanyol manager Manolo González introduced fresh legs, bringing on Edu Expósito and Jofre Carreras. Expósito's delivery quality immediately elevated Espanyol's set-piece threat, while García's introduction added the physical presence that ultimately unlocked Celta's stubborn defense. The final 10 minutes saw desperate Celta pressure, with Carl Starfelt's header from close range sailing over the bar in the 89th minute.

Celta will rue their inability to capitalize on home advantage and must regroup quickly for their next fixture. Espanyol's victory maintains their impressive start to the campaign, with this hard-fought away win demonstrating the resilience that has characterized their season under González's guidance.