Celta Vigo Advances to Europa League Round of 16 with Narrow Win Over PAOK
Celta Vigo secured their spot in the next round of the Europa League after defeating PAOK 1-0 at Balaidos, completing a 3-1 aggregate victory in their play-off tie. The match began nervously for the La Liga side, with Georgios Giakoumakis of PAOK missing a crucial header from a corner in the 17th minute, which could have leveled the aggregate score. Celta gradually took control, creating several chances but failing to convert due to a mix of poor finishing and resilient defending from PAOK. The breakthrough came just after the hour mark when Borja Iglesias set up Williot Swedberg, who calmly slotted the ball into the far corner, evading PAOK goalkeeper Antonis Tsiftsis. This goal marked Swedberg's third consecutive goal against PAOK this season. Despite PAOK's attempts to respond, they managed only four shots throughout the match, thanks to Celta's solid defensive performance. The home crowd fueled their team towards a successful finish, achieving their goal of advancing in the competition. Looking ahead, Celta Vigo will face tough opposition in the Round of 16 of the Europa League, with potential opponents including Lyon or Unai Emery’s Aston Villa. The draw is set to take place on Friday.
Source: Football España - 2026-02-26