Endrick Rescues Lyozfter Celta Vigo’s Red Card Drama

Estadio de Balaídos, Vigo — March 12, 2026

Olympique Lyonnais snatched a dramatic late draw against ten-man Celta Vigo in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League Round of 16 tie, as Brazilian sensation Endrick struck in the 87th minute to cancel out Javi Rueda’s first-half opener.

The 1-1 draw leaves the tie perfectly balanced heading back to the Groupama Stadium next week, though Celta manager Claudio Giráldez will be left wondering what might have been after his side dominated much of the contest before a moment of madness from Borja Iglesias changed the trajectory of the game.

Match Summary

Celta Vigo started with the intensity of a team hungry to prove they belong in the latter stages of European competition. Cheered on by a raucous Balaídos crowd, the Galicians controlled the tempo early on, with Iago Aspas and Williot Swedberg finding pockets of space between the Lyon lines.

The breakthrough came in the 25th minute. Following a lightning-fast counter-attack initiated by Swedberg, the ball was whipped across the face of the goal. Javi Rueda was perfectly positioned at the back post to fire a composed shot past Dominik Greif, sending the home support into a frenzy.

Lyon, led by Paulo Fonseca, struggled to find their rhythm in the first half. While Endrick showed glimpses of his quality—once rattling the side netting with a powerful strike from distance—Celta’s backline, marshaled by Carl Starfelt, kept the French side at arm’s length.

The Turning Point

The complexion of the match shifted dramatically nine minutes into the second half. Borja Iglesias, who had already been booked in the first half for a trip on Corentin Tolisso, was shown a second yellow card for catching Clinton Mata in the face with a stray arm during an aerial duel.

Down to ten men, Celta were forced into a defensive shell. Giráldez immediately looked to his bench, bringing on Mihailo Ristić and Sergio Carreira to solidify the shape. For over half an hour, the "Sky Blues" produced a defensive masterclass, frustrating a Lyon side that dominated possession but lacked the clinical edge to break through.

Late Drama

Just as it seemed Celta would hold on for a historic clean-sheet victory, Lyon’s pressure finally told. In the 87th minute, a patient build-up ended with Clinton Mata finding Endrick on the edge of the area. The young Brazilian took one touch to set himself before unleashing a low, left-footed drive that fizzed into the bottom corner.

Celta players slumped to the turf in disappointment, but they can take heart from a performance that showcased remarkable grit. For Lyon, the goal provides a massive sigh of relief after a domestic slump, giving them the upper hand as they return to France with an away goal in their pocket.

Key Stats

• Score: Celta Vigo 1 - 1 Olympique Lyonnais

• Goals: Javi Rueda (25') | Endrick (87')

• Red Card: Borja Iglesias (54', Second Yellow)

• Possession: Celta 41% - 59% Lyon

• Shots on Target: Celta 3 - 5 Lyon

What’s Next?

The two sides will meet again for the second leg at the Groupama Stadium on Thursday, March 19. Celta will be without the suspended Borja Iglesias and Óscar Mingueza, who also picked up a booking that triggers a one-match ban. Lyon, meanwhile, will look to capitalize on their home advantage to secure a place in the quarter-finals.