Zeneli scored twice and missed a penalty as Union won at Celta

Union St. Gilloise beat Celta Vigo 2-1 in Vigo after Besfort Zeneli's two goals turned the game, and Celta gave up far more chances than they usually do.

Besfort Zeneli scored twice, then missed a penalty, and Union St. Gilloise still left Balaídos with a 2-1 win over Celta Vigo. Celta went ahead in the eleventh minute through Pablo Durán, with Sergio Carreira providing the assist, and for a while the home side looked set to keep that lead. Zeneli equalised in the 35th minute and put Union in front early in the second half. Union were awarded a penalty in the 78th minute, and Zeneli, who had scored both their goals, missed it two minutes later.

Celta had more of the ball than usual, with 58% possession at home against an average of 52%. They took 14 shots, a little under their home average of 16, and their expected goals total was 1.1 against a usual 1.16. Expected goals, or xG, is a rough measure of how good each chance was, so it lets us judge whether a side created the sort of openings it normally does. Their own attacking figures were ordinary, but their defence was not, because Union's chances came to 2.06 xG against a usual 0.72 conceded at home, close to three times the amount Celta normally allow.

Union's numbers point the other way. They had 42% of the ball, well below their usual 48.7% away from home, and they took 15 shots where they normally take 21.7. The league average is 13.7 shots per side per match, so 15 was above the norm for the division, even though it fell short of Union's own habit. Fewer shots, then, but better ones, and the scoreline reflected that trade. Union scored two goals, and they conceded one, which is more than their usual 0.3 away.

Union's goalkeeper, H. Koffi, made three saves, and the defensive work of both sides was tested in the closing stages as the substitutes arrived. Pablo Durán, who scored Celta's goal, took five shots and got three of them on target, a return that earned him a rating of 7.9. Union's Guilherme Smith was the only player booked for them, in the 71st minute, and the late changes on both benches were made before the penalty was taken.

Once Zeneli's miss had been recorded, Union had the lead and the game to protect, and the match ended without either side adding to its tally. For Celta, the result meant a second home defeat in three matches at the start of the competition. The side's home record is one win, no draws and two defeats, which leaves them with three points.

Union St. Gilloise have seven points from three matches and sit sixth in the table, while Celta Vigo have three points and are 25th.

Player of the matchB. Zeneli2 goals8.9

Pablo Durán1 goal7.9

A. Zorgane1 assist7.6

Sergio Carreira1 assist7.4