Celta Edge Alavés After Strong Second Half as Defender Javi Rodríguez Shines

Celta Vigo secured their second La Liga victory with a 2-1 win over Alavés in matchday 9. Defender Javi Rodríguez was the standout hero for the Galicians, first setting up Ferran Jutglà's opener (53') before doubling the lead with a sensational solo run (71'). Hugo Novoa pulled one back for the visitors with a stunning strike (87'), but home goalkeeper Ionuț Radu pulled off two crucial late saves to preserve all three points.

The result gives Celta two wins from their last three matches, taking them to 11 points alongside Alavés, with the two sides occupying seventh and eighth place respectively. The Basque outfit, however, have slumped after a strong start to the campaign, collecting just a single point from their last five games.

Following a goalless opening period, Celta came out firing after the break and quickly broke the deadlock. Javi Rodríguez unlocked the defense with an exquisite through ball for Ferran Jutglà, who kept his cool in a one-on-one against Antonio Sivera to make it 1-0 in the 53rd minute. The hosts extended their advantage in the 71st minute when Rodríguez capped a brilliant performance, surging into the box, beating his markers, and curling a superb finish into Sivera's far corner.

Alavés gave themselves a lifeline in the 87th minute thanks to a combination between two substitutes: former Real Madrid striker Mariano Díaz teed up Hugo Novoa inside the box, who cut past his marker and fired a sublime effort in off the crossbar to make it 2-1. The visitors had two golden opportunities to snatch a dramatic equalizer in stoppage time, but Romanian shot-stopper Ionuț Radu produced two phenomenal saves to keep out dangerous headers from Lucas Boyé and Nahuel Tenaglia.