Celta Vigo turn 41% possession into a 5-0 victory over Racing Santander

Celta Vigo beat Racing Santander 5-0 at Municipal de Balaídos on Saturday, September 19, 2026, securing a convincing La Liga victory. Celta led 2-0 at half-time and added three more goals after the break. The result ended a difficult run for Claudio Giráldez’s team, while Racing Santander suffered another defeat in their opening seven league matches.

Celta establish control before half-time

The first major turning point came in the 32nd minute, when Hugo González converted a penalty to put Celta ahead. Ilaix Moriba doubled the advantage shortly before the interval, scoring in the 43rd minute after an assist from Miguel Román. Celta then replaced González and Javier Rueda García at half-time, bringing on Pablo Durán Fernández and Sergio Carreira Vilarino.

The second half made the result emphatic. Miguel Román scored in the 69th minute, adding a goal to his earlier assist. Durán Fernández then struck twice, in the 78th and 90th minutes, with Hugo Alvarez Antunez providing the assist for both goals. His introduction at half-time proved decisive, as he became the only player to score twice in the match.

Possession favours Racing, but Celta finish more effectively

Racing Santander had more of the ball, recording 59% possession and 606 total passes to Celta’s 41% and 424. They also completed more accurate passes, 539 to 367. However, Celta produced the clearer attacking output: 13 total shots to Racing’s 11 and nine shots on goal to five. Racing’s five goalkeeper saves and Celta’s four also underline the difference in finishing and defensive resistance. Celta’s 5-0 win therefore came despite Racing controlling possession and circulating the ball more frequently.

The teams were level on corner kicks at three each, while Celta committed 13 fouls and Racing 11. The disciplinary record was heavier for the visitors. Yassir Zabiri, Jeanuël Belocian, Pablo Ramon Parra, Sergio Canales and Iñigo Vicente were booked, with Canales and Vicente both receiving yellow cards in the 90th minute. Celta’s Javier Rueda García and Yoel Lago were also cautioned. There were no red cards.

Román leads Celta’s response

Miguel Román was the standout performer, receiving a 9.0 rating after playing 84 minutes. He scored once, supplied one assist, made one key pass and completed four tackles. Ilaix Moriba also impressed with a rating of 8.2, a goal and four tackles, while goalkeeper I. Radu made five saves in a clean sheet.

Three points change the league picture

The supplied standings had Celta 18th with four points from six games, while Racing were 12th with seven. Celta’s victory moves their record to one win, four draws and two losses, giving them seven points. Racing’s record becomes two wins, one draw and four losses, leaving them on seven points after seven matches. The result also reverses the direction of Celta’s recent form, which had featured four draws and two losses in their previous six games.