RC Celta de Vigo and Olympique Lyonnais are tied 1-1 in the late stages of their UEFA Europa League Round of 16 first-leg match. The Spanish side was reduced to 10 men in the second half, allowing the French visitors to erase an early deficit at the Estadio Abanca-Balaídos. The ongoing fixture is currently broadcasting across global sports networks including FOX Sports and ESPN.
Celta took the advantage in the 25th minute. Javier Rueda García scored to give the hosts a 1-0 lead. Celta maintained the advantage through the first half. A red card shifted the numerical balance after the break. Lyon used the man advantage to press the Galician defense and scored the equalizer late in the second half.
GOAL
Celta Vigo 1-1 Lyon
Endrick 88'
Europa League#UEL #EuropaLeague #OL— livegoals (@livegoalsx) March 12, 2026
This is the first competitive meeting between the two clubs. Celta entered the Round of 16 after eliminating Greek club PAOK with a 3-1 aggregate score in the knockout playoffs. The Spanish team holds a perfect record against French opponents in the 2025-26 European campaign. Celta defeated OGC Nice and LOSC Lille, recording 2-1 victories in both previous fixtures. The club is attempting to match its 2016-17 Europa League run, which concluded in the semi-finals.
Lyon arrived in Vigo following a highly successful regular phase in the tournament. The French club finished at the top of the Europa League table with 21 points, recording seven wins and one loss. This European performance contrasts with the club’s domestic operations. In 2025, France’s football financial watchdog, the DNCG, threatened Lyon with provisional relegation due to a severe financial crisis. The regulatory action forced the organization into structural reorganization and player sales.