10-man Celta Vigo shock Real Betis

Posted Monday, August 26, 2013 by Foxsports.com

Second-half goals from Charles and Nolito ensured 10-man Celta Vigo claimed their first win of the season with at battling Real Betis.

However, the visitors, who opened their campaign with a 2-2 draw at home to Espanyol, had to resist a thrilling fightback from Pepe Mel's men, who had threatened a late fightback.

After Borja Oubina was needlessly sent off for collecting a second bookable offence, Ruben Castro got Betis back into the match in the final minute only for fellow forward Chuli to hammer the bar from close range in added-on time as Celta Vigo just about held on.

Betis started well and nearly took the lead in the opening minutes, with Joan Verdu's free-kick from just outside the area leaving Celta Vigo goalkeeper Yoel scrambling to tip round the post.

Yoel also had to be at his best to block Nacho's effort from close range as Betis continued to pile forward before on-loan midfielder Juan Carlos hammered against the bar with his volley from point-blank range.

The visitors held off the strong start and then nearly took the lead very much against the run of play, with Real Betis shot-stopper Guillermo Sara doing well to tip striker Nolito's effort round the post.

Betis were still a threat, however, and Yoel had to tip over from Alex Lopez's effort, while Junior Paulao headed wide from the resulting corner.

Having been so dominant in the first half, the home side were nearly made to pay for their profligacy once more as Dias Charles headed against the post after the interval.

Luis Enrique's men started to boss proceedings as the half wore on and their persistence paid off after taking a 67th-minute lead when Charles slotted past Sara after latching onto Nolito's through ball.

The provider then turned goalscorer seven minutes later to put Celta Vigo firmly on course, finishing from just inside the area with his right-foot effort.

However, captain Borja Oubina's needless handball saw him pick up a second booking and leave his team to battle out the remaining four minutes with 10 men.

Ruben Castro halved the deficit in the final minute, stabbing home from close range after reacting quickest to Antonio Amaya's header.

Striker Chuli spurned a glorious opportunity to grab a share of the spoils when his effort from close range came back off the bar to cap a frustrating night for Betis.