Lyon's Europa League Run Ends: Celta Vigo Advances to Quarterfinals

Rueda's goal sends Celta Vigo past Lyon, into UEL quarters

Celta Vigo eliminates Lyon from Europa League with 2-0 win, advancing to quarterfinals. Javi Rueda scored the decisive goal as Lyon's unbeaten home run ends.

Celta Vigo stuns Lyon, Europa League upset sends Spanish side to quarters...

Lyon's impressive run came to an end as Celta Vigo pulled off a stunning upset, knocking them out of the Europa League round of 16. The Spanish side secured a 2-0 win at home, adding to their first-leg advantage to triumph 3-1 on aggregate.

Celta Vigo's victory marked a historic moment, as they became the first Spanish team to beat Lyon on French soil. The match was intense from the start, with Lyon's unbeaten run at home looking shaky from the off. A potential penalty appeal in the opening minute was waved away by referee Irfan Peljto, setting the tone for a gripping encounter.

The opening 15 minutes failed to see either side register a shot, but only thanks to Roman Yaremchuk’s shoe size being a couple of sizes too small to turn home an Endrick cross.

And following their earlier reprieve, Lyon weren’t so lucky when Rueda was caught again in the 19th minute, as this time Peljto showed Moussa Niakhate a straight red card.

Celta Vigo pushed for an early goal, but Lyon's defense held strong. Pablo Duran and Williot Swedberg both had chances, but goalkeeper Dominik Greif was equal to their efforts. Fer Lopez also went close, but Greif remained unbeaten.

Celta's pressure continued, but Lyon's goalkeeper was solid. 

That ensured Les Gones got to the interval on level terms, and with the half-time result replicated at 90 minutes in seven of their last eight UEL home games, the signs were pointing to this game going the distance.

Celta complete the job in Lyon 👏#UEL pic.twitter.com/AUaZKRvUaD

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) March 19, 2026

That only looked more likely after the first 15 minutes of the second half, as Endrick sent a 25-yard free-kick over the top, and Sergio Carreira saw his stabbed shot shuffled behind by Greif, only for the 11 men to go ahead just after the hour mark.

Carreira's excellent work down the wing led to a crucial moment, but it was Javi Rueda who pounced on the loose ball to bundle it home.

Celta Vigo took the lead, and Lyon's task just got tougher. 

Celta Vigo missed chances to seal it, but ultimately wrapped up the win in added time. Ferran Jutgla scored the late goal, coolly slotting home to confirm Lyon's exit.

Lyon pushed hard in the final minutes, but it was too little, too late. 

Celta Vigo's win marked a great away performance, with just one defeat in their last 10 away matches. They're on a roll, and now just one round away from matching their best UEL result.

Celta are Europa League quarter-finalists 🩵#UEL pic.twitter.com/kjEMIZCUCL

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) March 19, 2026

Lyon, on the other hand, can't catch a break - they've gone seven games without a win, and it was a bitter pill to swallow with Tagliafico getting sent off in the dying seconds.