Match report

Celta Vigo Defeats Rayo Vallecano 3-0 in La Liga

Celta Vigo
Celta Vigo
3–0
FT
Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano
Jan 18, 2026

Celta Vigo handed Rayo Vallecano a tough defeat with a convincing 3-0 win in their La Liga clash. Goals from S. Carreira and B. Zaragoza gave Celta the lead, while J. Rueda's late strike sealed the victory. The match saw significant yellow cards for both teams, but it was Rayo Vallecano’s red card to Nobel Mendy that truly shifted momentum in favor of Celta Vigo.

Key Facts

  • • S. Carreira scored the first goal at 40 minutes with an assist from H. Alvarez.
  • • B. Zaragoza converted a penalty to double Celta Vigo's lead at 54 minutes.
  • • J. Rueda found the back of the net in the 79th minute, making it 3-0 for Celta Vigo.
  • • Nobel Mendy was sent off with a red card after his yellow card was upgraded to a red by VAR.

Lineups

Celta Vigo

Formation: 3-4-3

Starting XI

  • 13 I. Radu (G)
  • 32 J. Rodriguez (D)
  • 2 C. Starfelt (D)
  • 20 M. Alonso (D)
  • 3 O. Mingueza (M)
  • 6 I. Moriba (M)
  • 22 H. Sotelo (M)
  • 5 S. Carreira (M)
  • 23 H. Alvarez (F)
  • 18 P. Duran (F)
  • 15 B. Zaragoza (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 I. Villar
  • 4 J. Aidoo
  • 7 B. Iglesias
  • 10 I. Aspas
  • 12 M. Fernandez
  • 16 M. Roman
  • 17 J. Rueda
  • 19 W. Swedberg
  • 24 C. Dominguez
  • 29 Y. Lago
  • 38 H. Burcio
  • 39 J. El Abdellaoui

Rayo Vallecano

Formation: 4-3-3

Starting XI

  • 13 A. Batalla (G)
  • 22 Pacha (D)
  • 24 F. Lejeune (D)
  • 32 N. Mendy (D)
  • 3 P. Chavarria (D)
  • 7 I. Palazon (M)
  • 4 P. Diaz (M)
  • 15 G. Gumbau (M)
  • 14 C. Martin (F)
  • 19 J. de Frutos (F)
  • 18 A. Garcia (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 D. Cardenas
  • 40 A. Molina
  • 33 J. Vertrouwd
  • 26 M. de las Sias
  • 28 S. Becerra
  • 11 R. Nteka
  • 21 F. Perez
  • 9 Alemao
  • 8 O. Trejo

Timeline

  1. Celta Vigo
    ?' Celta Vigo Card · Yellow Card
    I. Aspas

    Argument

  2. Celta Vigo
    40' Celta Vigo Goal · Normal Goal
    S. Carreira · Assist: H. Alvarez
  3. Celta Vigo
    44' Celta Vigo Card · Yellow Card
    H. Alvarez

    Foul

  4. Celta Vigo
    54' Celta Vigo Goal · Penalty
    B. Zaragoza
  5. Rayo Vallecano
    58' Rayo Vallecano Card · Yellow Card
    G. Gumbau

    Foul

  6. Rayo Vallecano
    59' Rayo Vallecano Card · Yellow Card
    C. Martin

    Foul

  7. Rayo Vallecano
    61' Rayo Vallecano subst · Substitution 1
    Off: G. Gumbau · On: R. Nteka
  8. Rayo Vallecano
    61' Rayo Vallecano subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Pacha · On: Alemao
  9. Celta Vigo
    62' Celta Vigo subst · Substitution 1
    Off: H. Alvarez · On: W. Swedberg
  10. Celta Vigo
    63' Celta Vigo subst · Substitution 2
    Off: H. Sotelo · On: M. Roman
  11. Rayo Vallecano
    65' Rayo Vallecano Var · Card upgrade
    Nobel Mendy
  12. Rayo Vallecano
    66' Rayo Vallecano Card · Yellow Card
    I. Palazon

    Argument

  13. Rayo Vallecano
    66' Rayo Vallecano Card · Red Card
    Nobel Mendy

    Foul

  14. Rayo Vallecano
    68' Rayo Vallecano subst · Substitution 3
    Off: C. Martin · On: J. Vertrouwd
  15. Celta Vigo
    71' Celta Vigo subst · Substitution 3
    Off: J. Rodriguez · On: Manu Fernández
  16. Celta Vigo
    71' Celta Vigo subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Óscar Mingueza · On: J. Rueda
  17. Rayo Vallecano
    78' Rayo Vallecano subst · Substitution 4
    Off: J. de Frutos · On: O. Trejo
  18. Rayo Vallecano
    79' Rayo Vallecano subst · Substitution 5
    Off: I. Palazon · On: F. Perez
  19. Celta Vigo
    79' Celta Vigo Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Rueda
  20. Celta Vigo
    83' Celta Vigo subst · Substitution 5
    Off: C. Starfelt · On: H. Burcio

Match Stats

Stat Celta Vigo Rayo Vallecano
Fouls 7 14
Pass Accuracy 86% 86%
Offsides 4 1
Red Cards 0 1
Total Shots 11 14
Corners 5 7
Total Passes 447 454
Yellow Cards 4 3
Blocked Shots 3 7
Shots on Target 7 3
xG 1.87 1.11
Shots off Target 1 4
Possession 49% 51%
Goals Prevented -1 -1
Accurate Passes 385 392
Shots Inside Box 6 9
Saves 3 4
Shots Outside Box 5 5

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ The penalty conversion by B. Zaragoza at 54 minutes solidified Celta Vigo's dominance over Rayo Vallecano.
  • ▸ Nobel Mendy’s dismissal in the 66th minute left Rayo Vallecano with a man down, allowing Celta to control the game more effectively.