Osasuna Climb Above Celta with Clinical Away Victory

Osasuna moved above Celta Vigo in the La Liga table with a 2-1 victory at the Estadio Abanca Balaídos, capitalising on clinical finishing to secure three crucial points on Friday evening.

The visitors took a deserved lead ten minutes before half-time when Ante Budimir found the net, capping a dominant first-half performance that saw Osasuna control proceedings against a lacklustre Celta side. The Croatian striker’s goal was the culmination of sustained pressure from Jagoba Arrasate’s men, who looked sharp despite their midweek exertions.

Celta’s response came eight minutes into the second half through Borja Iglesias, who converted from the penalty spot to level the scores. The equaliser appeared to galvanise the home side, with manager Claudio Giráldez making tactical adjustments that briefly stemmed Osasuna’s momentum.

However, the decisive moment arrived in the 79th minute when Raúl García struck what proved to be the winner. The veteran midfielder, who had received a first-half booking, showed typical composure to restore Osasuna’s advantage when it mattered most.

The victory sees Osasuna climb to eighth place with 32 points, leapfrogging their hosts who drop to ninth with 33 points from 24 matches. While Celta maintain a points advantage, Osasuna now have a game in hand and momentum firmly on their side.

For Celta, this represents a setback in their pursuit of European qualification. Despite their superior goal difference of +5 compared to Osasuna’s level goal difference, they have now suffered consecutive defeats that have dented their top-half ambitions.

The match statistics reflected Osasuna’s greater cutting edge, with both sides creating similar numbers of chances but the visitors proving more clinical when opportunities arose. García’s late intervention epitomised Osasuna’s growing maturity under Arrasate, demonstrating the tactical discipline that has characterised their impressive campaign.

Both sides will look to build on contrasting emotions when the league resumes, with this result highlighting the competitive nature of La Liga’s middle tier.