Looking to end a three-game winless run in all competitions, Celta made a positive start in the torrential rain at Balaidos, going close on a couple of occasions in the opening 15 minutes. Right-back Javi Rodriguez sent his rising shot off target after finding space in the box, before Hugo Alvarez drew the alert Sergio Herrera into a smart stop.
Claudio Giraldez’s side continued to look the most threatening of the two sides as the half progressed, so it came as a surprise to the home faithful when their side found themselves behind in the 35th minute.
Osasuna’s prolific striker Ante Budimir proved he needed just one chance to make an impact, getting across his marker to guide his header home from Raul Moro’s inviting delivery, taking his impressive tally to 11 league goals for the season.
The experienced forward’s fifth goal in four games proved enough to give Los Rojillos an away half-time lead for just the third time this season, only for his effort to be cancelled out by Celta’s own veteran striker in the opening stages of the second period.
Borja Iglesias was presented with the chance to score from the spot following Alejandro Catena's handball infringement, and he showed great composure to roll the ball in the opposite direction of Herrera’s dive, especially as he was made to wait for a lengthy VAR review that culminated with the referee sticking with his on-field decision.
With the game finely poised, substitute Williot Swedberg threatened to complete the turnaround when he cleverly worked the space to force Herrera into a near-post save.
Unfortunately for Celta, their quest for a winner soon turned to a search for a late equaliser after Raul Garcia restored the visitors’ advantage with just over 10 minutes to play. The 25-year-old took advantage of Marco Alonso’s weak defending to bundle the ball in from Catena’s knockdown.
Herrera made sure there would not be a second Celta equaliser, as he produced a late reaction save to deny Iago Aspas, securing a win that moves his eighth-placed side to within four points of the hosts in seventh spot.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Ante Budimir (Osasuna)
