Iago Aspas scored a goal at the end of the first half and rescued a 1-1 draw for Celta de Vigo, against Pumas, in a friendly match played at the Mexican team's stadium, at the Olympic University Stadium in Mexico City.
Aspas scored for the Spaniards after Brazilian Diogo de Oliveira had done so for the home team, in a match with an attractive first half and a close where the visitors paid the price of playing at an altitude of 2,240 meters.
In the first half, under the rain, there were offensive actions by both teams, reflected in the 1-1 scoreline. In the third minute, De Oliveira accepted a pass from Argentinean Eduardo Salvio and headed the ball, but goalkeeper Rubén Blanco saved Celta de Vigo.
The university team sought to take the lead and succeeded in the 17th minute. In a free-kick, Leonel López delivered a ball to De Oliveira, lethal with the headed shot for the 1-0. Pumas sought to extend the advantage, and in the 40th minute they came close, but the defense cleared a loose ball in the area.
Towards the end of the first half, Aspas accepted a pass from Augusto Solari, beat Brazilian Higor Meritao, and headed the ball into the net for the 1-1. Celta started the second half with control of the ball, but there were few dangerous plays.
In the 72nd minute, Pumas entered the area with Dinenno, who missed a chance in the 80th minute with a header and missed the left-footed shot in the 81st minute. The 'Felinos' maintained dominance in the closing stages, although they continued to have little effectiveness. In the 84th minute, Salvio missed another chance.
The match, Celta's first in Mexico, was part of the preseason for the team coached by Argentine Eduardo Coudet, which will continue on July 20 in the United States against San Jose Earthquakes from the MLS. This LaLiga season, Celta will debut on August 13 against Espanyol.
Pumas vs. Celta de Vigo: starting lineups
- Pumas: Julio González (GK), Ricardo Galindo, Nicolas Freire, Pablo Bennevendo, Efraín Velarde, Leonel López, Higor Meritao, Carlos Gutiérrez, Eduardo Salvio, Juan Dinenno, and Diogo de Oliveira. Coach: Andres Lillini.
- Celta de Vigo: Rubén Blanco (GK), Hugo Mallo, Carlos, Renato Tapia, Galán, Fran Beltrán, Gabri, Swedberg, Solari, Iago Aspas, and Baeza. Coach: Eduardo Coudet.
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