Celtic lose 2–1 to Celta Vigo as Javi Rodríguez double leaves them without a point in Europa League

Celtic suffered a third successive Europa League defeat as two goals in three minutes from Javi Rodríguez overturned Mika Baur’s opener and earned Celta Vigo a 2–1 victory at Celtic Park.

Baur put the hosts ahead in the 47th minute, but Rodríguez equalised with a header in the 68th before striking from outside the penalty area in the 71st.

The result leaves Celtic without a point from their opening three league-phase fixtures. Four days after their 7–1 victory over Hearts, they were unable to carry that domestic success into Europe.

Baur gives Celtic the lead after goalless first half

Celta produced more attempts before the interval, but the teams went in level. According to Sofascore’s match data, the visitors had ten first-half shots to Celtic’s two.

Baur changed the scoreline shortly after the restart, giving Celtic a lead to defend and the opportunity to collect their first points of the campaign.

That advantage lasted until the 68th minute. Hugo Álvarez supplied the cross and Rodríguez headed in to bring Celta level.

Rodríguez strikes twice to turn the match

Celtic had little time to recover from the equaliser before Rodríguez scored again.

The defender followed his header with a powerful effort from outside the box, beating Sam Johnstone and turning a 1–0 deficit into a 2–1 lead within three minutes. The goals and their timing are detailed in the Scottish Sun’s match coverage.

Celta protected their advantage through the closing stages, leaving Celtic with another home defeat and no reward for taking the lead.

The decisive spell was brief, but it changed the significance of the evening. Celtic had been heading towards a result that would restart their European campaign; instead, their recovery must begin with the fourth fixture.

Celtic’s qualification task grows harder

The defeat follows losses to Ferencvaros and Benfica, who beat Celtic 4–1 in Lisbon.

Celtic have now conceded nine goals across those three matches. Scoring first against Celta offered a different route to a result, but they could not hold their advantage or respond after falling behind.

As Sky Sports’ report confirms, Celtic remain without a point. Five league-phase games remain, so this defeat does not eliminate them, but it leaves less room for further setbacks.

Their next domestic assignment is away to Hibernian on Sunday, with kick-off at noon.

Related: Celtic predicted lineup vs Benfica: Durán decision and Jota eligibility explained