Union Saint-Gilloise beat Celta 2-1 at Balaídos after Zeneli brace

“Tenemos que reaccionar, el deporte no espera por nadie, no tiene memoria ni para lo bueno ni para lo malo,” Celta Vigo manager Claudio Giráldez said. Union Saint-Gilloise responded by coming from behind to beat Celta 2-1 at Balaídos on Thursday night, with Besfort Zeneli scoring both goals to extend the Belgian club’s unbeaten run in the Europa League.

Pablo Durán gave the hosts the lead in the 11th minute after the ball struck the post off a shot by goalkeeper Hervé Koffi. But Zeneli equalized before halftime, finishing low past Iván Radu at the 35th minute after receiving a through ball from Adem Zorgane. Four minutes after the restart, Zeneli struck again with a right-footed shot from the center of the area assisted by Kevin Rodríguez, the goal confirmed by VAR. Despite late chances for Durán and Sergio Carreira, and a penalty miss by Zeneli in the 80th minute that Radu saved, the visitors held on for the victory. Instead of the anthem, the stands observed a minute of silence for Jesús de Miguel and the victims of the Urda accident. Mofokeng slipped on the visitors’ first chance and Radu closed down Rodríguez, while Febas drove the first counter and Carreira set up Durán, who cut past Sylla before crossing the shot that hit the post. Once ahead, Celta found space behind the press as Hugo Álvarez and Javi Rueda advanced on the right and Swedberg’s delayed pass to Carreira went wide. Rodríguez kept forcing the hosts backward and Radu won the race against a deep ball. At the 35th minute Zorgane found the gap, slipping the ball behind the defense for Zeneli to control against Marcos Alonso and beat Radu low. Besfort Zeneli appeared in the area to score the 1-1, after receiving a through pass from Adem Zorgane. Even at 2-1 the visitors pressed, and Durán fired two shots in two minutes, both saved by Koffi. Facing the need to equalize, the local team made changes at the 60th minute, with the entry of Iago Aspas and Ilaix Moriba in replacement of Aleix Febas and Hugo Álvarez; Pablo Durán received from the captain, shook off Sylla and struck the post. The handball by Javi Rodríguez came at the 76th minute before VAR awarded the penalty.

Zeneli’s Brace Seals Comeback at Balaídos

The result moves Union Saint-Gilloise to fifth place in the Europa League 2026-27 standings with 10 points from four matches, keeping them unbeaten in the competition. The Belgian side had a penalty opportunity to extend the lead at the 80th minute after a handball by Javi Rodríguez was reviewed by VAR, but Zeneli’s right-footed effort was saved by Radu. Durán’s shot from outside the area at the 67th minute went wide and Carreira fired over at the 72nd, while Celta ended with a series of corners.

Giráldez on the Belgian Threat

Ahead of the match, Giráldez had described Union Saint-Gilloise as “Es de los mejores equipos que hemos analizado en lo que llevamos de competición europea este año y el anterior,” noting they lost only one match in extra time during Champions League qualifying and missed the top 24 last season on goal difference. He said the side “va a ir agresivo a robarnos” and plays a vertical 3-4-3 system, adding that if Celta could get past the first press and make them run backward, “no están acostumbrados a estar cerca de su portería.” He had said: “Tenemos ganas de que llegue esta cita, disfrutar de la competición europea y seguir con la dinámica que llevábamos hasta el partido del Rayo,” and added: “Desde la jornada 3 de Liga, quizás estamos demasiado negativos con el equipo.” On his attack he noted: “Tenemos muchos argumentos para poder ganar los partidos y margen de mejora en lo ofensivo.” He concluded: “El equipo se ha ganado poder darle la vuelta a un partido así en tres o cuatro días teniendo competición europea.”

Unbeaten Run Continues

Union Saint-Gilloise will face Lech Poznań on November 26, while Celta host Bournemouth in the fifth matchday needing points to approach the qualification places. Giráldez insisted his side must treat every match as a final. Celta arrived after facing Celtic while Union Saint-Gilloise had played Hapoel Beer Sheva, with the hosts 27th on three points beforehand.

“Todos los partidos tienen que ser finales para nosotros, tenemos que dar nuestro 100% en cada uno y luego ya se verá si podemos entrar en un top o en otro,” Giráldez said. “Nuestra intención es pasar, ganar partidos y mejorar como equipo.”