Analysis The numbers behind the result
Athletic Club clinically punish Celta Vigo's inefficiency
Athletic Club's 2-0 victory was fully deserved, as they outperformed Celta Vigo in both chance creation and finishing. The visitors' expected goals (xG) of 2.64 dwarfed Celta's 0.56, reflecting their superiority despite holding just 46% possession. Athletic Club converted their dominance into goals within two minutes, with Álex Berenguer (20') and Robert Navarro (22') both scoring assisted by Iñaki Williams and Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta respectively.
Celta Vigo's 54% possession failed to translate into meaningful opportunities, with only 2 shots on target from 8 total attempts. In contrast, Athletic Club registered 7 shots on target from 17 attempts, with 12 coming from inside the box. Their clinical edge and ability to penetrate Celta's defense were decisive factors. Athletic Club’s efficiency in front of goal, coupled with their superior shot quality, explains the comfortable margin of victory.
The most telling statistic is Athletic Club's shots inside the box (12 vs Celta's 6), highlighting their ability to create and convert high-quality chances in dangerous areas.