Seven-Goal Chaos at Balaídos: Alavés Stun Celta with Historic 3-0 Comeback

VIGO, SPAIN — In what will surely be remembered as one of the most extraordinary matches of the 2025/26 La Liga season, Deportivo Alavés produced a breathtaking second-half performance to overturn a 3-0 deficit and defeat RC Celta de Vigo 4-3 at the Estadio de Balaídos.

A First-Half Masterclass by Celta

Coming off the high of securing a place in the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals earlier in the week, Claudio Giráldez’s Celta side looked invincible for the first 40 minutes. The Galician "Sky Blues" tore through a passive Alavés defense with surgical precision.

Ferran Jutglà was the protagonist of the opening period. He opened the scoring in the 19th minute, finishing a clinical pass from Javi Rodríguez. Just eight minutes later, Jutglà turned provider, teeing up Hugo Álvarez to make it 2-0. When Jutglà added his second of the afternoon in the 37th minute to make it 3-0, the home crowd was in delirium, and the match appeared to be over as a contest.

The Turning Point

The only glimmer of hope for the visitors came in stoppage time of the first half. A cross from Ángel Pérez found Toni Martínez, who managed to pull one back at 45+3'. While it seemed like a mere consolation at the time, it proved to be the catalyst for the miracle that followed.

Quique Sánchez Flores’ Tactical Gamble

At halftime, Alavés manager Quique Sánchez Flores made a series of bold substitutions, introducing Abderrahman Rebbach, Denis Suárez, and Ibrahim Diabaté. The impact was immediate.

The visitors emerged with a level of intensity that Celta simply could not match. In the 50th minute, Martínez returned the favor to Ángel Pérez, who scored to make it 3-2. Suddenly, the tension in Balaídos was palpable.

The equalizer arrived in the 74th minute when Rebbach slipped a perfect pass to Toni Martínez, who drilled home his second of the game. With the scores level at 3-3, the momentum was entirely with the "Babazorros."

The unthinkable was completed just four minutes later. In the 78th minute, Victor Parada found Abderrahman Rebbach at the near post, and the super-sub finished coolly to make it 4-3, sealing a remarkable turnaround that sent the traveling Alavés supporters into a frenzy.

Match Stats & Standings

Despite Celta dominating possession (56%) and Ferran Jutglà earning a perfect 10 rating from analysts, their defensive lapses proved fatal.

Feature RC Celta Deportivo Alavés

Score 3 4

Possession 56% 44%

Shots 12 14

xG (Expected Goals) 1.82 1.73

Implications

• Deportivo Alavés: This victory moves them three points clear of the relegation zone, providing a massive boost in their fight for survival.

• RC Celta: A stinging defeat for a side sitting in 6th place. While their European form is stellar, this loss highlights a vulnerability at home that could threaten their quest for a top-four finish.

Key Performers

• Toni Martínez (Alavés): 2 goals, 1 assist.

• Abde Rebbach (Alavés): 1 goal, 1 assist (as a halftime substitute).

• Ferran Jutglà (Celta): 2 goals, 1 assist.

For Celta, this was a night that began with dreams of a blowout and ended in a nightmare. For Alavés, it was the "Miracle of Vigo" that might just save their season.