Borja Iglesias Stumbles as Celta Draws 1-1 with Ten‑Man Atletico

When Borja Iglesias, forward for RC Celta de Vigo stepped onto the pitch at Estadio Abanca‑Balaídos on 5 October 2025, he was hoping to break his season‑long goal drought. Instead, despite three clean‑shot attempts, the 31‑year‑old watched his chances vanish against a vigilant Atletico Madrid side, whose goalkeeper Jan Oblak seemed to have a personal vendetta against the ball.

Match Overview

The fixture – officially the Celta vs Atletico La Liga clashVigo – attracted 20,877 spectators. Early drama arrived in the 6th minute when Carl Starfelt inadvertently deflected a cross into his own net, gifting Atletico a lead they would later relinquish.

Midway through the first half, Celta pressed, but the one‑goal cushion evaporated when veteran striker Iago Aspas bundled home a rebound in the 68th minute, restoring parity.

At the 40th‑minute mark, defender Clement Lenglet saw red, leaving Atletico to battle with ten men for the remainder of the evening.

Borja Iglesias: Near Misses and Missed Opportunities

Iglesias opened his account of near‑misses with a right‑footed strike from the centre of the box that Oblak saved with his fingertips – a classic one‑on‑one that could have rewound the narrative.

Just minutes later, a low cross from teammate Ferran Jutglà found Iglesias in the six‑yard area. He rose for a header, but the ball glanced past the post to the right, leaving the crowd collectively winced.

Undeterred, he ventured outside the penalty area and launched a curling effort that Oblak parried to the top centre of the net. Finally, a left‑footed strike from the box’s midpoint sailed just over the bar after a delivery from Marcos Alonso. Three shots on target, zero goals – a statistical paradox that still earned him a team‑high rating of 6.5 from Fox Sports.

What Went Wrong? Tactical and Individual Factors

• Defensive shape: Celta’s high line left Iglesias exposed to quick off‑the‑ball runs, limiting space for clean finishes.
• Atletico’s compact midfield: The visitors pressed aggressively, forcing Iglesias to take hurried shots rather than waiting for better service.
• Physical fatigue: The match’s intensity, compounded by a 58 % possession rate, may have dulled Iglesias’s sharpness in the final 15 minutes.

Statistically, Celta out‑performed Atletico in possession (58 % vs 42 %), completed 597 passes at a 92 % accuracy, and generated 16 total shots (four on target). Yet the conversion rate tells a different story – only one goal from 16 attempts.

Reactions from Players and Coaches

Post‑match, Celta’s head coach praised Iglesias’s work rate but admitted the finishing fell short. “He was in the right places, but the final touch was missing,” he said, “We’ll work on that in training.”

Atletico’s manager, speaking after the red‑card incident, emphasized resilience: “Playing with ten men is never easy, but the lads showed character. Oblak was brilliant, and Iago’s goal was a gift for us.”

Oblak, modest as ever, simply noted, “They gave us chances, I did what I could.”

Implications for the La Liga Table

With the draw, Celta remains entrenched in 15th place, recording a winless run of eight matches (0‑6‑2) and a goal differential of –3. A single point feels like a drop in the ocean when the safety zone is just three points away from the relegation zone.

Atletico, meanwhile, stays in the upper half, their unbeaten streak snapping after a 5‑goal demolition of Real Madrid two weeks prior. The draw, however, prevents a slip‑down and keeps them within striking distance of a European‑competition spot.

Looking Ahead: What Next for Celta and Atletico?

Celta’s upcoming fixtures pit them against fellow bottom‑table sides, offering a realistic chance to claw back points. A tactical tweak – perhaps a more restrained defensive line – could free Iglesias to receive clearer balls.

Atletico must regroup after the suspension of Lenglet, giving a chance for a young defender to step up. Their next match against a high‑pressing opponent will test whether the ten‑man experiment exposed any lingering defensive frailties.

Key Facts

• Date: 5 October 2025
• Venue: Estadio Abanca‑Balaídos, Vigo
• Score: Celta 1 – 1 Atletico
• Goal scorers: Own goal by Carl Starfelt (Atletico), Iago Aspas (Celta)
• Red card: Clement Lenglet (Atletico)
• Attendance: 20,877