The League
12:00 p.mMay 3, 2026
Regular season – 34
Abanca-Balaídos Stadium
Referee: Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea, Spain
Celta Vigo
Elx
Turn off the spoiler to see match stats
0.82
Expected Goals (xG)
1.45
-1.64
Prevented goals
-1.64
Passing by
235 (76%)
Accurate passes
536 (90%)
Turn off the spoiler to see the events of the match
1
G
Matías Dituro
6.9
6
d
Pedro Bigas (C)
6.7
22
d
David Affengruber
5.9
18
d
John Donald
6.5
3
M
Adrià Pedrosa
6.3
14
M
Alex Febas
7.0
8
M
Marc Aguado
6.7
15
M
Die Tete
6.5
F
Gonzalo Villar
28′ Holding
20
F
Alvaro Rodríguez
6.6
The League Standings – First Division
Qualification/Relegation
- Promotion – Champions League (League phase)
- Promotion – Europa League (League phase)
- Promotion – Conference League (ranking)
- Relegation – LaLiga2
Celta de Vigo defeated Elche 3-1 at home to record a convincing victory, with Hugo Álvarez and Iago Aspas setting the tone before Borja Iglesias sealed the result late on.
Celta de Vigo dominated Elche in a one-sided La Liga match at Estadio Abanca-Balaídos on May 3. The hosts moved up to sixth with the emphatic win, while Elche stayed in 14th despite a second-half effort. Celtic’s early intensity proved decisive in this mid-table battle.
Hugo Álvarez opened the scoring in the 14th minute, giving Celta an early lead. The home team controlled possession and dictated the game from the start. Elche struggled to find their rhythm in the early stages.
Iago Aspas doubled Celta’s lead in the 30th minute with a clinical finish. The Spanish midfielder struck with precision to extend the home side’s advantage. Elche’s defense looked vulnerable as Celta created space with ease.
Celta’s offensive threat forced Elche into defensive mistakes in the first half. The visitors managed only limited chances despite their subsequent dominance of possession. Gonzalo Villar received a yellow card in the 28th minute for Elx.
The first half ended with Celta firmly in control of 2-0. Javier Rueda was booked for the home side in the 41st minute as the tension grew. Celta looked comfortable heading into the break with their two-goal cushion.
Elche emerged with renewed purpose after the break and began to assert control of the game. The visitors created more attacking chances and pressed higher up the pitch. Their possession increased significantly as they looked for a way back into the contest.
Andre Silva reduced the difference from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute. Elche’s pressure finally paid off with a goal that made it 2-1. The penalty gave the visitors hope of a comeback with time remaining.
Borja Iglesias ended any hopes of a comeback for Elx in the 85th minute with a clinical finish. The substitute scored immediately after marking Celta’s 3-1 win. Yago Lago received a yellow card for Celta in the 83rd minute during the tense final phase.
Celta created more clear-cut chances despite having less possession, with a total expected goals of 0.82 compared to Elche’s 1.45. The hosts managed four shots on goal from a total of six attempts. Elche fired 15 shots but only converted one, highlighting their wastefulness in front of goal.
Álvarez and Aspas impressed with 7.9 and 7.7 respectively, combining for two of Celta’s three goals. Ferran Jutglà provided an assist and created chances throughout the game. Iglesias immediately struck from the bench to end the game.
Celta’s victory moves them to 44 points in 33 games, maintaining sixth position in the table. Elche remain in 14th place with 38 points after the defeat. The result demonstrates Celta’s ability to win despite less possession, while Elche’s offensive prowess did not translate into points.
