Aspas leads Celta Vigo to 2-0 win over Huesca in La Liga
Vigo (Spain): Celta Vigo striker Iago Aspas scored a brace on Saturday to beat Huesca 2-0 in La Liga, giving his side its first win under new coach Miguel Cardoso.
Celta extended recently-promoted Huesca’s winless drought to 13 matches, despite the team’s strong start in Saturday’s game, reports Efe news.
It was Huesca winger Alejandro Gallar Falguera, who first threatened Celta’s goal on a loose shot, while the best chance of the first half came from a header by his teammate Christian Rivera.
As the minutes ticked away, Celta gained confidence and even tried to threaten Huesca’s goal on efforts by midfielder Sofiane Boufal and a shot by Maximiliano Gomez Gonazlez.
The power balance shifted entirely in the final stretch of the first half, as Aspas tipped the ball into the goal after connecting a cross from right back Hugo Mallo in the 38th minute.
After the intermission, Huesca tried to set the pace and even squandered an opportunity to score the equalizer on a header from central defender Xabier Etxeita.
Huesca had the ball but lacked solutions inside the opposite area, and their drive for an equalizer offered Celta more spaces.
But despite having the necessary speed, Celta lacked precision on the final touch, and had only one attempt on the goal halfway through the second half.
Celta was decisive when it mattered, as winger Milan Jovanovic set up Aspas for the second goal on a counterattack in the 76th minute.
After the win, Celta Vigo provisionally holds the 11th spot with 17 points, while Huesca remains in the 20th and last spot with seven points after 14 matches.