{"match":{"id":732982,"locale":"en","date":"2026-04-19T00:00:00.000Z","status":"fixture","winner":null,"stb_id":"2026-04-19-00-00-00-villarreal-cf-vs-rc-celta-de-vigo","score_a":0,"score_b":0,"broadcast_link":null,"after_broadcast_link":null,"has_article_relations":null,"has_social_media_relations":null,"has_odds":null,"has_h2h":true,"has_overview":null,"has_statistics":false,"has_lineups":false,"has_predictions":null,"interesting_facts_team_a_html":null,"interesting_facts_team_b_html":null,"team_a":{"id":50424,"name":"Villarreal CF","short_name":"Villarreal","tla_name":"VIL","type":"club","gender":"male","status":"active","official_name":"Villarreal Club de Fútbol","founded":1923,"colors":"Yellow,Blue","nicknames":"El Submarino Amarillo","createdAt":"2024-11-05T10:36:58.171Z","updatedAt":"2025-08-11T23:21:14.127Z","website":"http://www.villarrealcf.es","address":"Camino Miralcamp, s/n","address_city":"Villarreal","address_zip":"12540","locale":"en","stb_id":"villarreal-cf","tier":null,"description":null,"top_position":null,"history_and_foundation":"## \"Villarreal\": interesting facts about the football club\n\n**\"Villarreal\"** is a football club from the **small Spanish town of Villarreal** in **Valencia**. The team was founded in **1923**, but it was **really loudly** talked about only in **the last decade**.\n\nThis is an example of a club that **without high-profile transfers** and crazy popularity was able to **establish itself among the strongest teams** of Spain and Europe. They are used to **developing players** here, not buying ready-made stars. And this is **the peculiarity of the \"yellow submarine\"**.\n\n> \"Villarreal is proof that smart strategy and patience can beat any big budget.\"","sporting_achievements":"## History of \"Villarreal\"\n\n**The first half-century** the club played mainly in the **regional and lower Spanish divisions**. **\"Villarreal\"** was almost **unheard of outside the province**. Only in **1998** did the team enter **La Liga** for the first time, but were relegated after **one season**.\n\n**The return took place** already in **2000** — and from that time **another story** began. The club began to work for the result, but **in no hurry**. I bet on **stability**, on the search for **talented players**, and it produced its **effect**.\n\n**In the 2005/06** season, the team reached the **Champions League semi-finals** — **no one expected it**, but **\"Villarreal\"** already knew how to surprise. And in **2021** the club won the **Europa League**, beating **Manchester United** in the final.\n\n> \"It was the first major trophy in the history of the club - a well-deserved victory after many years of consistent work.\"","club_identity":"## Villarreal Stadium\n\nThe team plays its matches at the **Estadio de la Ceramica** — a **comfortable arena** that holds a little more than **23 thousand spectators**. It used to be called **El Madrigal**, but it was renamed in honor of **the main industry of the city** — **ceramics production**.\n\n**This stadium** is **not about luxury**, but **about emotion**. The stands here are **close to the field**, the atmosphere is **homey and hot**. The town is small, and when **Villarreal** plays at home, **the whole district goes to football**.\n\n## Achievements of \"Villarreal\"\n\nThe club **doesn't have the same trophy history** as the Spanish giants, but has achieved a lot in **recent years**:\n\n* **Europa League (2020/21)** — **first international trophy** in the history of the club.\n* **Champions League semi-finals (2005/06, 2021/22)** — **sensational performances** that made Europe **pay attention**.\n* **La Liga Silver (2007/08)** — **highest place** in the Spanish Championship.\n* **Victory over the European giants** — **\"Arsenal\", \"Bavaria\", \"Juventus\"** repeatedly left **with nothing**.\n\n> \"For a city with a population of only 50,000, this is a real football breakthrough.\"","current_status_and_future":"## Famous players of \"Villarreal\"\n\nThe club **did not buy famous names**, but often brought **future stars** to the world stage:\n\n1. **Riquelme** is a player who gave the team **style and fantasy** in the center of the field.\n\n2. **Forlan** — in **\"Villarreal\"** became **the best scorer in La Liga**.\n\n3. **Cazorla** is a symbol of **sophisticated football** and **loyalty to the club**.\n\n4. **Rossi** is a striker who remained a **fan favorite** for a long time.\n\n5. **Pau Torres** is a **student of the club** who became **the main player in the Spanish national team**.\n\n## Interesting facts about Villarreal\n\n1. **The city of Villarreal** is the **least in Europe** among the participants of the **Champions League semi-finals**.\n\n2. The club received the nickname \"yellow submarine\" for the color of the uniform and the non-standard style of play.\n\n3. **The stadium is named** in honor of the **ceramic industry** — **the main pride of the city**.\n\n4. **In 2012** the team was relegated to **Segunda**, but **returned the following season**.\n\n5. **The club bets** on **students** and **smart management** instead of **star transfers**.\n\n> \"Villarreal reminds us that true greatness is measured not by the size of the city, but by the size of dreams and ambitions.\"\n\n**It is worth noting** that **Villarreal** has become a **model for clubs** from small towns around the world, proving that **smart planning** and **long-term strategy** can compete with **big budgets**. Will the team be able to **consolidate its position** among the **European elite**? One thing can be said for sure - the **spirit of \"Ceramika\"** and the **philosophy of the yellow submarine** make **\"Villarreal\"** a special place where **every player** has a **chance to become a hero** and **every victory** is a **triumph for the whole city**. This is a club that **proves** that in football the **most important thing** is to **believe in your abilities** and **never give up**, regardless of the size of the stadium or the budget.","stb_internal_id":"0192fbe6-2611-7262-a715-453e0f755ce7","overrides":null,"has_social_media_links":true,"has_social_media_relations":true,"has_membership_relations":true,"has_matches":true,"has_article_relations":false,"history_and_foundation_html":"

\"Villarreal\": interesting facts about the football club

\"Villarreal\" is a football club from the small Spanish town of Villarreal in Valencia. The team was founded in 1923, but it was really loudly talked about only in the last decade.

This is an example of a club that without high-profile transfers and crazy popularity was able to establish itself among the strongest teams of Spain and Europe. They are used to developing players here, not buying ready-made stars. And this is the peculiarity of the \"yellow submarine\".

\n
\"Villarreal is proof that smart strategy and patience can beat any big budget.\"
\n

\n","sporting_achievements_html":"

History of \"Villarreal\"

The first half-century the club played mainly in the regional and lower Spanish divisions. \"Villarreal\" was almost unheard of outside the province. Only in 1998 did the team enter La Liga for the first time, but were relegated after one season.

The return took place already in 2000 — and from that time another story began. The club began to work for the result, but in no hurry. I bet on stability, on the search for talented players, and it produced its effect.

In the 2005/06 season, the team reached the Champions League semi-finals — no one expected it, but \"Villarreal\" already knew how to surprise. And in 2021 the club won the Europa League, beating Manchester United in the final.

\n
\"It was the first major trophy in the history of the club - a well-deserved victory after many years of consistent work.\"
\n

\n","club_identity_html":"

Villarreal Stadium

The team plays its matches at the Estadio de la Ceramica — a comfortable arena that holds a little more than 23 thousand spectators. It used to be called El Madrigal, but it was renamed in honor of the main industry of the city — ceramics production.

This stadium is not about luxury, but about emotion. The stands here are close to the field, the atmosphere is homey and hot. The town is small, and when Villarreal plays at home, the whole district goes to football.

Achievements of \"Villarreal\"

The club doesn't have the same trophy history as the Spanish giants, but has achieved a lot in recent years:

Europa League (2020/21) — first international trophy in the history of the club.
Champions League semi-finals (2005/06, 2021/22) — sensational performances that made Europe pay attention.
La Liga Silver (2007/08) — highest place in the Spanish Championship.
Victory over the European giants — \"Arsenal\", \"Bavaria\", \"Juventus\" repeatedly left with nothing.

\n
\"For a city with a population of only 50,000, this is a real football breakthrough.\"
\n

\n","current_status_and_future_html":"

Famous players of \"Villarreal\"

The club did not buy famous names, but often brought future stars to the world stage:

Riquelme is a player who gave the team style and fantasy in the center of the field.
\n
Forlan — in \"Villarreal\" became the best scorer in La Liga.
\n
Cazorla is a symbol of sophisticated football and loyalty to the club.
\n
Rossi is a striker who remained a fan favorite for a long time.
\n
Pau Torres is a student of the club who became the main player in the Spanish national team.
\n

Interesting facts about Villarreal

The city of Villarreal is the least in Europe among the participants of the Champions League semi-finals.
\n
The club received the nickname \"yellow submarine\" for the color of the uniform and the non-standard style of play.
\n
The stadium is named in honor of the ceramic industry — the main pride of the city.
\n
In 2012 the team was relegated to Segunda, but returned the following season.
\n
The club bets on students and smart management instead of star transfers.
\n

\n
\"Villarreal reminds us that true greatness is measured not by the size of the city, but by the size of dreams and ambitions.\"
\n

It is worth noting that Villarreal has become a model for clubs from small towns around the world, proving that smart planning and long-term strategy can compete with big budgets. Will the team be able to consolidate its position among the European elite? One thing can be said for sure - the spirit of \"Ceramika\" and the philosophy of the yellow submarine make \"Villarreal\" a special place where every player has a chance to become a hero and every victory is a triumph for the whole city. This is a club that proves that in football the most important thing is to believe in your abilities and never give up, regardless of the size of the stadium or the budget.

\n","logo":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/747_1486e5dc5f.png","mime":"image/png","caption":null,"formats":{"large_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/large_avif_747_1486e5dc5f.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"large_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/large_webp_747_1486e5dc5f.webp","mime":"image/webp"},"small_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/small_avif_747_1486e5dc5f.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"small_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/small_webp_747_1486e5dc5f.webp","mime":"image/webp"},"medium_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/medium_avif_747_1486e5dc5f.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"medium_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/medium_webp_747_1486e5dc5f.webp","mime":"image/webp"}}},"current_season":{"stb_id":"2025-2026-3","hasUpcomingMatches":false}},"team_b":{"id":50075,"name":"RC Celta de Vigo","short_name":"Celta","tla_name":"CEL","type":"club","gender":"male","status":"active","official_name":"Real Club Celta de Vigo","founded":1923,"colors":"Sky Blue,White","nicknames":"Os Célticos,Os Celestes","createdAt":"2024-11-05T10:36:06.977Z","updatedAt":"2025-08-11T15:42:50.213Z","website":"https://rccelta.es/","address":"Calle del Conde de Gondomar, 1","address_city":"Vigo","address_zip":"36203","locale":"en","stb_id":"rc-celta-de-vigo","tier":null,"description":null,"top_position":null,"history_and_foundation":"## Key information about Celta\n\nThe club represents **Galician football**, founded in **1923** in the city of **Vigo**, located in the north-west of the country. **Celta** has always been a team that is not afraid of difficulties and even in difficult times it finds a way to remain an important part of **La Liga**.","sporting_achievements":"## Celta: the history of the club\n\nThe team went through many stages of development, repeatedly finding themselves in the lower divisions, but each time they returned to La Liga.\n\n**Vigo** is not the largest city in Spain, but it was here in **1923** that a club appeared, which is now talked about not only in Galicia. Then the local fans got tired of watching two middling teams — **Real Fortuna** and **Sporting Vigo** — trying in vain to assert themselves at the national level. As a result — a **merger**, a new **emblem with a crown** (because the king himself gave support), and a fresh name — **\"Celta\"**, in honor of the Celts, the first settlers of these lands.\n\nThe start was encouraging, but then it was a classic for most Spanish clubs outside the top: back and forth between **Primera** and **Segunda**. There are periods of brilliance, periods of struggle for survival. However, there were stages when **\"Celta\"** was talked about all over Europe. Especially in the late 90s. The team crushed **Juventus** and **Benfica** in the **UEFA Cup**, and the charismatic **Mostovy** shone on the field.\n\nAnd then — failure in **2004**. Departure, debts, panic. But **\"Celta\"** is not what it seems. In **2012**, she returned to **La Liga**, and already in **2017** almost reached the finals of the **Europa League** - then it was a little short against **Man United**. Today it is a different team, but with the same stubbornness in character.","club_identity":"## Celta Stadium\n\n**Balaidos Stadium** is not just a football arena, but a real home for **Celta** and its fans. Opened in **1928**, it has undergone several reconstructions, but has retained its authentic atmosphere. This is not a modern hi-tech complex with elite lodges - there is a different magic here.\n\nLocated in the western part of **Vigo**, the stadium immerses you in the atmosphere of real Spanish football from the first minutes. When the team takes the field and the stands are packed to the brim, the place comes alive. Its feature is close contact between players and fans. The distance from the stands to the lawn is minimal, so the pressure of the fans is felt especially acutely.\n\nDuring its history, **Balaidos** hosted matches of the **1982 World Cup**, the legendary matches of **\"Celta\"** in La Liga, the Spanish Cup and European Cups. But the most important thing is that the history of the club was made here, where every victory or defeat felt as if it was a matter of life and death.\n\n## Celta achievements\n\nIf you look only at the trophies, **Celta** will not impress. No championship, no Spanish Cup, although there were chances. However, this club is not measured by titles. It is measured in moments.\n\n**Greatest achievements:**\n* Final of the Spanish Cup (**1948/49**) — a chance for the first trophy, but failure. \n* The semi-final of the Europa League (**2016/17**) is a historic breakthrough that could have ended in the final, if not for that mistake in the match with **Man United**. \n* Fourth place in La Liga (**2002/03**) is the best ever season, leading the team to the **Champions League**.\n\n> But if you ask the fans what moments they remember the most, it's not the finals and the tables. It's **7:0 against Benfica**. These are incredible comebacks. These are matches where **\"Celta\"** played not just for points, but for their pride.\n","current_status_and_future":"## Famous Celta players\n\n* **Alexander Mostovy** is a genius who was loved for his technique, field vision and character. He was called **\"King Vigo\"** because he really ruled the game. Without him **\"EuroCelta\"** would not exist. \n* **Iago Aspas** is not just a captain, but the heart of the team. His return saved the club from relegation and he continues to do his best for Celta. \n* **Claudio Lopez**, **Gustavo Lopez** are two Argentines who brought South American passion and unpredictability to Vigo. \n* **Felix Carvajal** is a person who, back in the 1940s, became a symbol of the first great **Celta**.\n\n## Interesting facts about Celta\n\n* The record defeat of **Benfica** – **7:0** in the 1999 UEFA Cup - the biggest European defeat of the Portuguese giants. \n* A meeting with **\"Barca\"** that cannot be forgotten - in **2015** **\"Celta\"** defeated **\"Barcelona\"** **4:1**. At that time, the Catalans included **Neymar**, **Messi** and **Suarez**, but they could not do anything. \n* The comeback that saved the club - in **2012** **Celta** were on the brink of relegation from the Segunda but a win in the last round kept them in the second division, marking the start of a new era. \n* **Vigo** is not a million-dollar city, but **Celta** has loyal fans who travel to the farthest corners of Spain to follow the team.","stb_internal_id":"0192fbe5-5ba2-7d26-954d-88ffa1a96f9f","overrides":null,"has_social_media_links":true,"has_social_media_relations":true,"has_membership_relations":true,"has_matches":true,"has_article_relations":false,"history_and_foundation_html":"

Key information about Celta

The club represents Galician football, founded in 1923 in the city of Vigo, located in the north-west of the country. Celta has always been a team that is not afraid of difficulties and even in difficult times it finds a way to remain an important part of La Liga.

\n","sporting_achievements_html":"

Celta: the history of the club

The team went through many stages of development, repeatedly finding themselves in the lower divisions, but each time they returned to La Liga.

Vigo is not the largest city in Spain, but it was here in 1923 that a club appeared, which is now talked about not only in Galicia. Then the local fans got tired of watching two middling teams — Real Fortuna and Sporting Vigo — trying in vain to assert themselves at the national level. As a result — a merger, a new emblem with a crown (because the king himself gave support), and a fresh name — \"Celta\", in honor of the Celts, the first settlers of these lands.

The start was encouraging, but then it was a classic for most Spanish clubs outside the top: back and forth between Primera and Segunda. There are periods of brilliance, periods of struggle for survival. However, there were stages when \"Celta\" was talked about all over Europe. Especially in the late 90s. The team crushed Juventus and Benfica in the UEFA Cup, and the charismatic Mostovy shone on the field.

And then — failure in 2004. Departure, debts, panic. But \"Celta\" is not what it seems. In 2012, she returned to La Liga, and already in 2017 almost reached the finals of the Europa League - then it was a little short against Man United. Today it is a different team, but with the same stubbornness in character.

\n","club_identity_html":"

Celta Stadium

Balaidos Stadium is not just a football arena, but a real home for Celta and its fans. Opened in 1928, it has undergone several reconstructions, but has retained its authentic atmosphere. This is not a modern hi-tech complex with elite lodges - there is a different magic here.

Located in the western part of Vigo, the stadium immerses you in the atmosphere of real Spanish football from the first minutes. When the team takes the field and the stands are packed to the brim, the place comes alive. Its feature is close contact between players and fans. The distance from the stands to the lawn is minimal, so the pressure of the fans is felt especially acutely.

During its history, Balaidos hosted matches of the 1982 World Cup, the legendary matches of \"Celta\" in La Liga, the Spanish Cup and European Cups. But the most important thing is that the history of the club was made here, where every victory or defeat felt as if it was a matter of life and death.

Celta achievements

If you look only at the trophies, Celta will not impress. No championship, no Spanish Cup, although there were chances. However, this club is not measured by titles. It is measured in moments.

Greatest achievements:

Final of the Spanish Cup (1948/49) — a chance for the first trophy, but failure.
The semi-final of the Europa League (2016/17) is a historic breakthrough that could have ended in the final, if not for that mistake in the match with Man United.
Fourth place in La Liga (2002/03) is the best ever season, leading the team to the Champions League.

\n
But if you ask the fans what moments they remember the most, it's not the finals and the tables. It's 7:0 against Benfica. These are incredible comebacks. These are matches where \"Celta\" played not just for points, but for their pride.
\n

\n","current_status_and_future_html":"

Famous Celta players

Alexander Mostovy is a genius who was loved for his technique, field vision and character. He was called \"King Vigo\" because he really ruled the game. Without him \"EuroCelta\" would not exist.
Iago Aspas is not just a captain, but the heart of the team. His return saved the club from relegation and he continues to do his best for Celta.
Claudio Lopez, Gustavo Lopez are two Argentines who brought South American passion and unpredictability to Vigo.
Felix Carvajal is a person who, back in the 1940s, became a symbol of the first great Celta.

Interesting facts about Celta

The record defeat of Benfica – 7:0 in the 1999 UEFA Cup - the biggest European defeat of the Portuguese giants.
A meeting with \"Barca\" that cannot be forgotten - in 2015 \"Celta\" defeated \"Barcelona\" 4:1. At that time, the Catalans included Neymar, Messi and Suarez, but they could not do anything.
The comeback that saved the club - in 2012 Celta were on the brink of relegation from the Segunda but a win in the last round kept them in the second division, marking the start of a new era.
Vigo is not a million-dollar city, but Celta has loyal fans who travel to the farthest corners of Spain to follow the team.

\n","logo":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/741_d1e42800dc.png","mime":"image/png","caption":null,"formats":{"large_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/large_avif_741_d1e42800dc.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"large_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/large_webp_741_d1e42800dc.webp","mime":"image/webp"},"small_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/small_avif_741_d1e42800dc.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"small_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/small_webp_741_d1e42800dc.webp","mime":"image/webp"},"medium_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/medium_avif_741_d1e42800dc.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"medium_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/medium_webp_741_d1e42800dc.webp","mime":"image/webp"}}},"current_season":{"stb_id":"2025-2026-15","hasUpcomingMatches":false}},"round":{"id":24590,"name":"Regular Season","type":"table","start_date":"2025-08-16T00:00:00.000Z","end_date":"2026-05-24T00:00:00.000Z","createdAt":"2025-07-01T23:30:06.542Z","updatedAt":"2025-08-14T17:00:30.290Z","locale":"en","stb_internal_id":"0197c853-850c-75b2-81fc-3758cbd7d81c","overrides":null,"season":{"id":13130,"title":"2025/2026","original_name":"La Liga EA Sports","start_date":"2025-08-16","end_date":"2026-05-24","createdAt":"2025-07-01T23:30:02.180Z","updatedAt":"2025-08-14T17:00:26.693Z","locale":"en","stb_id":"2025-2026-15","stb_internal_id":"0197c853-732d-787a-b7ac-0bbb516f7506","overrides":null,"has_standings":true,"hasUpcomingMatches":true}},"broadcast_preview":null,"venue":{"id":8979,"name":"Estadio de la Cerámica","city":"Villarreal","address":"Plaza Labrador","address_zip":"12540","opened":1923,"status":"open","nicknames":"Feudo Amarillo,Campo del Villarreal,Camp El Madrigal","geo_latitude":39.9441191808336,"capacity":24500,"surface":"grass","createdAt":"2024-11-04T13:41:37.463Z","updatedAt":"2025-06-10T06:40:48.135Z","geo_longitude":-0.10347425937652588,"locale":"en","stb_internal_id":"0192f768-daf1-7cbc-9d59-d6fb14009f25","overrides":null,"area":{"id":10850,"name":"Spain","country_code":"ESP","iso_code":"ES","createdAt":"2024-11-04T12:01:27.352Z","updatedAt":"2025-06-10T06:27:39.170Z","locale":"en","stb_internal_id":"0192f70d-26b5-7028-974f-d08ae0605e02","overrides":null}}},"league":{"name":"La Liga","icon":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/497/Laliga_1_259bf36341.svg"},"current_season":{"id":13130,"title":"2025/2026","original_name":"La Liga EA Sports","start_date":"2025-08-16","end_date":"2026-05-24","createdAt":"2025-07-01T23:30:02.180Z","updatedAt":"2025-08-14T17:00:26.693Z","locale":"en","stb_id":"2025-2026-15","stb_internal_id":"0197c853-732d-787a-b7ac-0bbb516f7506","overrides":null,"has_standings":true,"hasUpcomingMatches":true},"imgUrl":"https://media.top2u.io/497/Laliga_1_259bf36341.svg","area":{"id":10850,"name":"Spain","country_code":"ESP","iso_code":"ES","createdAt":"2024-11-04T12:01:27.352Z","updatedAt":"2025-06-10T06:27:39.170Z","locale":"en","stb_internal_id":"0192f70d-26b5-7028-974f-d08ae0605e02","overrides":null},"stb_id":"primera-division"}}

Villarreal vs Celta: General