Celta Vigo Celebrates Anniversary with Victory Over Valencia

MADRID (AP) — Celta Vigo celebrated its 101st anniversary with a convincing 3-1 victory against Valencia, marking a strong start to the La Liga season with two consecutive wins. This achievement is particularly notable as it is the first time since 2015 that Celta has won its opening two matches. The defeat adds to Valencia's woes, as they now face two losses in a row. The match began with Valencia taking an early lead in the 14th minute, when Diego Lopez scored from close range following a goalmouth scramble. However, Celta quickly responded, equalizing midway through the first half with a volley from Oscar Mingueza, who completed a well-executed team play. Just five minutes later, Celta's captain Iago Aspas showcased his skill by scoring after receiving a precise throughball from Mingueza. Aspas, who has been pivotal for Celta, had a chance to extend the lead when he was awarded a penalty just before halftime. However, Valencia's goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili made a crucial save to keep the score at 2-1. The second half saw Fran Beltrán secure the victory for Celta with a stunning strike from the edge of the penalty area in the 60th minute. Valencia's current form is concerning, as they have now gone nine games without a win, a streak that dates back to last season and marks their worst performance under a single coach since Gary Neville's tenure in 2016.