UEL: Bologna Come From Behind to Beat Celta Vigo 2-1 in Europa League

Federico Bernardeschi scores twice as Bologna win in Vigo

Bologna secured a crucial 2-1 win over Celta Vigo in the Europa League, with Federico Bernardeschi scoring a penalty and a late winner.

A chaotic situation unfolded as Tommaso Pobega was initially flagged offside...

Bologna stormed back from behind to beat Celta Vigo 2-1 in the rain-soaked Estadio Abanca-Balaídos, with Federico Bernardeschi scoring a crucial brace. The Italian side's win marked their fifth unbeaten game in the Europa League (W3, D2), leapfrogging Celta Vigo in the process.

Bologna had looked the more threatening side early on, with Bernardeschi's long-range effort causing issues for Celta goalkeeper, but it was Celta who took the lead through a deflected Jorgen Strand Larsen shot.

Miranda was then perhaps lucky not to be booked after shoving Borja Iglesias in the face while winning the ball, and it was down his side where Celta opened the scoring on 17 minutes.

From a quick free-kick, Sergio Carreira found Williot Swedberg, and the two-goal hero from Celta’s stunning win at Real Madrid last Sunday shrugged off Charalampos Lykogiannis and surged into the box before superbly laying the ball off for Bryan Zaragoza to tuck home. 

Celta's Vigo lead was under threat within 10 minutes, as Carl Starfelt's weak pass back to Radu was intercepted by Jonathan Rowe, but the Englishman could only guide the ball wide. Castro then had a chance to make it 2-0, but Bologna goalkeeper Federico Raviglia's mistake almost handed the westerner the chance, as he gave the ball straight to Swedberg, who luckily slipped over in the wet conditions.

Bologna comeback 👏#UEL pic.twitter.com/3NnQkgr9a1

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) December 11, 2025

Castro wasted another chance as Radu made a crucial save just before halftime. Meanwhile, Zaragoza appeared to be injured and was replaced by Hugo Alvarez at the break.

Federico Bernardeschi had already shown his threat, so it wasn't surprising he was involved in the equalizer just before the hour mark. He beat Oscar Mingueza and cut the ball back for Tommaso Pobega to score, but the goal was ruled out as Bernardeschi was flagged offside.

A chaotic situation unfolded as Tommaso Pobega was initially flagged offside, but a VAR check revealed he was onside and had actually been fouled by Javi Rodriguez in the box. Federico Bernardeschi stepped up to convert the resulting penalty with ease, beating Ionut Radu. Celta coach Giraldez made a triple substitution, but one of the new players, Iago Aspas, gave the ball away to Nicolo Cambiaghi, who fed it to Bernardeschi. The winger advanced into the area and squeezed his shot past Radu.

The win secured Bologna's position in 13th place, putting them in the seeded qualification spots for the knockout-phase play-offs. This marked the first time Bologna had secured back-to-back away wins in major European competition since November 1998.