88th-minute Balkovec goal lifts Omonia Nicosia past Celta Vigo

Balkovec’s late strike gives Omonia a winning start

Omonia Nicosia defeated Celta Vigo 1-0 at GSP Stadium in Nicosia on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. The decisive moment came in the 88th minute, when J. Balkovec scored a normal goal to settle the UEFA Europa League League Stage - 1 fixture.

The result gives Omonia all three points from their opening league-stage game, while Celta leave Cyprus without a point. Omonia’s recent form had included two wins, one draw and one loss before this match, and the victory adds another positive result. Celta had entered the fixture after a defeat, making this their second consecutive loss.

Late goal breaks the deadlock

Neither team found the net before the closing stages. The match remained level until Balkovec’s 88th-minute finish, which immediately became the key turning point. With no other goals recorded, Omonia’s late breakthrough was enough to secure the win.

Balkovec was the standout contributor in the result because his goal decided the contest. The available match events do not record the build-up or the specific type of finish, but they confirm that his normal goal separated the teams after 88 minutes of play.

Substitutions shape the closing stages

Celta made their first changes in the 56th minute, replacing F. Jutgla with H. Gonzalez and C. Driouech with W. Swedberg. Omonia responded seven minutes later by sending on L. Brouwers for M. Tankovic.

Celta made two further substitutions in the 72nd minute, with H. Alvarez replacing P. Duran and A. Febas coming on for H. Burcio. Omonia’s final listed change arrived in the 75th minute, when A. Kakoullis replaced S. Coulibaly. The goal followed 13 minutes later, leaving Omonia’s substitutions as part of the late match context but without a recorded direct link to the strike.

Swedberg booked as Celta start with a loss

Swedberg received the only card listed in the match events. He was shown a yellow card in the 68th minute, twelve minutes after entering the game. No other disciplinary incidents are recorded.

Omonia now sit sixth in the League Round table with three points, one win, no draws, no defeats and a goal difference of plus one. Celta are 32nd with zero points, one defeat and a goal difference of minus one. The standings reflect the single match played by each side, with Omonia’s late goal providing the difference in both the result and the early table positions.