Celta Vigo 1-2 Union Saint-Gilloise. Besfort Zeneli scored twice as Royal Union Saint-Gilloise came from behind to win 2-1 at Celta Vigo in the Europa League on Thursday night, remaining unbeaten in the competition and claiming a first victory on Spanish soil.
Pablo Duran had given Celta an early lead at Balaidos, but Zeneli levelled before half-time and struck again four minutes after the restart to complete the turnaround, as Flashscore reported. The midfielder then missed the chance to complete his hat-trick from the penalty spot late on, but Union held on for back-to-back European wins.
Duran strikes first, Zeneli answers
Union arrived unbeaten in 13 matches in all competitions and began confidently, but they were punished after 11 minutes when Duran received Sergio Carreira's through ball, cut in from the left and steered his finish past Herve Koffi and in off the far post. Carreira nearly added a second midway through the half, side-footing wide at the end of a swift counter-attack, and for 35 minutes Celta looked in control.
Then the game changed. Adem Zorgane played an inch-perfect ball over the top, Zeneli took it down and tucked his finish past Ionut Radu to level at 35 minutes. It was the moment Union had been threatening without creating, and it ensured both teams had scored in 10 of Celta's last 12 league-phase matches in this competition, a pattern listed on theScore.
Zeneli completes his brace, then misses his hat-trick
Union have made a habit of scoring after half-time - 17 of their previous 19 goals before tonight had come after the break - and they needed less than four minutes of the second half to strike again. Zeneli played a pair of expert one-twos to work his way into the box and fired low past Radu at 49 minutes, with Kevin Rodriguez credited with the assist, to complete his brace and put David Hubert's side ahead.
Duran twice went close to a double of his own either side of the hour, Koffi palming away a firm strike at full stretch before a curling effort flew narrowly past the upright. Koffi then denied Javi Galan with his legs and batted away a fierce Iago Aspas effort, before VAR spotted a handball by Javi Rodriguez at the other end and Union were awarded a penalty. Zeneli stepped up for his hat-trick, but Radu saved it - and Rodriguez almost atoned late on, only for Koffi to stand firm again from his volley. The final numbers favoured the visitors where it mattered: Union's expected goals were 2.06 to Celta's 0.98, despite Celta having 59 per cent possession and 11 corners to one.
So what does this mean for Celta and Union?
Union remain unbeaten in the Europa League and have now won back-to-back games in the same European campaign for the first time since January 2025. This was also Celta's first-ever defeat to Belgian opposition, and it extends the Celestes' winless home run in this competition to four matches - a worrying trend for Claudio Giraldez, whose side won 2-1 at Celtic Park earlier in the campaign but cannot turn Balaidos into a fortress.
For Celta, the defeat leaves them with ground to make up at the halfway stage of the league phase, while Union's second-half threat makes them one of the most awkward opponents left in the draw. Results elsewhere tonight, including Real Sociedad's 1-1 draw with Lyon, only underline how valuable an away win in Spain is in this table.
Beyond the Final Whistle: Union did not panic at 1-0 down away from home - they trusted their second-half pattern, and Zeneli delivered it twice. Even a missed hat-trick penalty could not spoil a comeback that says more about Hubert's side than any home win could. Are Union SG now genuine dark horses in the Europa League? Let us know what you think in the comment section.
