Endrick's late equalizer snatched a point for Lyon in a dramatic 1-1 UEFA Europa League clash against ten-man Celta Vigo.
Lyon fought back to secure a 1-1 draw against Celta Vigo in a fiery UEFA Europa League encounter on March 12, 2026. Endrick's late equalizer snatched a point for Lyon against a resilient ten-man Celta Vigo.
Lyon arrived with a perfect record in the competition, sitting comfortably atop their group. Celta Vigo, meanwhile, sought to improve their standing after a mixed start to their European campaign.
The match began with early intensity. Celta Vigo's Borja Iglesias received a yellow card in the 20th minute for tripping. Despite this, the home side found their rhythm and pressed forward.
Javier Rueda broke the deadlock for Celta Vigo in the 25th minute. He finished calmly after a clever assist from Williot Swedberg. This gave the hosts a deserved lead.
Celta maintained a compact shape following the goal. They frustrated Lyon's attempts to find an immediate response. The half ended with Celta Vigo holding a narrow 1-0 advantage.
At the break, Lyon manager likely called for increased urgency and penetration. Celta Vigo’s task was clear: protect their lead and manage the game effectively against a strong opponent.
The second half exploded with action and controversy. Celta’s Óscar Mingueza earned a yellow card in the 48th minute. Lyon's Nicolás Tagliafico followed five minutes later for tripping.
A pivotal moment arrived in the 55th minute. Borja Iglesias received his second yellow card for elbowing an opponent. The resulting red card left Celta Vigo facing the majority of the second half with ten men.
Lyon immediately pushed for an equalizer, utilizing their numerical advantage. Celta Vigo goalkeeper Ionuț Radu produced a string of crucial saves, keeping his team in front despite sustained pressure.
The breakthrough finally came in the 87th minute. Young sensation Endrick, assisted by Clinton Mata, found the back of the net for Lyon. He calmly slotted the ball home, leveling the score at 1-1.
Lyon dominated possession with 71%, taking 20 total shots compared to Celta's 5. However, Celta registered 0.97 expected goals while Lyon had 0.8, showing Celta's efficiency. Radu made 5 saves.
Lyon will view this as two points dropped, but avoided a shock defeat. Celta Vigo will celebrate a hard-earned point, showcasing immense character against a strong opponent.
