Celta Vigo delivered a convincing 3-1 victory over PAOK Salonika at the Estadio Abanca-Balaídos, rebounding from their opening-day setback and igniting their UEFA Europa League campaign with a commanding performance. The Spanish side, buoyed by an electric home crowd, showcased attacking flair and defensive solidity, leaving the Greek visitors with little hope of a comeback.

The early minutes saw Celta test PAOK’s resolve, but it was veteran striker Iago Aspas who set the tone for the evening. Aspas opened the scoring with a clinical header from close range, expertly converted after a pinpoint cross by Óscar Mingueza. The interplay between Mingueza and Aspas was a recurring theme, with Mingueza’s movement and delivery continually unsettling the PAOK defense. The visitors, however, briefly threatened to shift the momentum, responding with a well-worked equalizer before halftime.

After the interval, Celta emerged with renewed purpose and intensity. The midfield trio of Fran Beltrán, Moriba, and Carlos Domínguez dictated the tempo, and an incisive spell midway through the second half yielded the go-ahead goal. A sharp build-up culminated in a slick move down the left, with Aspas again at the heart of the danger, drawing defenders before laying off for a composed finish to double Celta’s lead. The goal marked PAOK’s defensive frailties, as their back line struggled to contain Celta’s fluid movement.

PAOK attempted to rally, pressing higher and injecting pace through Konstantelias and Zivkovic, but Celta’s defense held strong. Any hopes of a Greek resurgence were dashed late on when Celta capitalized on a defensive miscue, sealing the result with a third goal after a scramble in the box. The final minutes saw PAOK’s efforts thwarted by vigilant goalkeeping and tactical discipline, allowing Celta to see out the victory in style.

Key moments from the match included Aspas’s double and Mingueza’s tireless work rate, both featured prominently across multiple YouTube recap videos, which highlighted the precision of Celta’s passing sequences and the sharpness of their front line. The win catapults Celta Vigo into contention for knockout qualification and reaffirms their credentials as one of the tournament’s dark horses, while PAOK must regroup quickly to salvage their campaign.

For Celta, the night belonged to Aspas—a talisman who once again proved decisive on the European stage. PAOK’s travel-weary squad, meanwhile, left Spain with lessons to ponder and uphill battles to fight in the coming fixtures.