# Javi Rodríguez drives Celta Vigo to 2-1 win over Alavés

The defender created Celta's opening goal and scored the second before goalkeeper Ionuț Radu protected the lead in a tense finish at Balaídos.

By The Signal Edition | Sports / Soccer
Published: 2026-10-18T17:44:00Z
Updated: 2026-10-18T17:44:00Z
Canonical: https://www.thesignaledition.com/article/celta-alaves-javi-rodriguez-win-1cwcibm
Image: https://www.thesignaledition.com/media/f0bec557b9b60c880603f8e5026809d7.jpg (Balaídos Stadium in Vigo, home of Celta Vigo; credit: BandidoBanderas / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0))

## Summary
- Javi Rodríguez assisted Ferran Jutglà's 53rd-minute opener and scored Celta's second goal.
- Hugo Novoa pulled Alavés within one late in the match.
- Ionuț Radu made two late saves as Celta extended its unbeaten league run to six matches.

## Rodríguez changes the match

Javi Rodríguez supplied an assist and scored a goal as Celta Vigo defeated Deportivo Alavés 2-1 at Balaídos on Sunday, October 18. Celta goalkeeper Ionuț Radu then made two important saves in the closing minutes to protect a victory that extended the home side's unbeaten La Liga run to six matches. [1](https://as.com/futbol/primera/javi-y-radu-eclipsan-a-novoa-f202610-n/) [2](https://cadenaser.com/euskadi/2026/10/18/el-alaves-cae-sin-merecerlo-en-balaidos-y-enlaza-5-partidos-sin-ganar-ser-vitoria/)

The match was goalless at halftime after a tactical opening period with few clear chances. Alavés produced the better opportunity when Lucas Boyé met a cross with a close-range header, but Radu stopped it. Celta coach Claudio Giráldez changed his shape and personnel at the interval, and the home side responded with more urgency. [1](https://as.com/futbol/primera/javi-y-radu-eclipsan-a-novoa-f202610-n/) [2](https://cadenaser.com/euskadi/2026/10/18/el-alaves-cae-sin-merecerlo-en-balaidos-y-enlaza-5-partidos-sin-ganar-ser-vitoria/)

## Two second-half breakthroughs

Rodríguez broke the pattern in the 53rd minute by moving inside and releasing Ferran Jutglà, who finished first time past Antonio Sivera. The defender then doubled Celta's advantage in the 71st minute, carrying the ball through the Alavés defense before scoring with a low angled shot. [1](https://as.com/futbol/primera/javi-y-radu-eclipsan-a-novoa-f202610-n/) [2](https://cadenaser.com/euskadi/2026/10/18/el-alaves-cae-sin-merecerlo-en-balaidos-y-enlaza-5-partidos-sin-ganar-ser-vitoria/)

Alavés created a nervous finish when Hugo Novoa cut the deficit in the 87th minute with a curling left-footed strike that went in off the crossbar. The visitors pressed for an equalizer, but Radu turned away headers from Boyé and Mariano Díaz during the final minutes and stoppage time. [1](https://as.com/futbol/primera/javi-y-radu-eclipsan-a-novoa-f202610-n/) [2](https://cadenaser.com/euskadi/2026/10/18/el-alaves-cae-sin-merecerlo-en-balaidos-y-enlaza-5-partidos-sin-ganar-ser-vitoria/)

## Celta's recovery continues

The win was Celta's second of the league season and moved the club to 11 points. It also gave Giráldez's team seven points from its last three league matches. Alavés, despite its late pressure, remained without a win in five league games. [1](https://as.com/futbol/primera/javi-y-radu-eclipsan-a-novoa-f202610-n/) [2](https://cadenaser.com/euskadi/2026/10/18/el-alaves-cae-sin-merecerlo-en-balaidos-y-enlaza-5-partidos-sin-ganar-ser-vitoria/)

Celta's performance was uneven, especially before halftime, but the result reflected the impact of its second-half adjustments and two decisive contributions from Rodríguez. The club next turns to European competition, while Alavés must find a way to convert competitive displays into points after another narrow defeat. [1](https://as.com/futbol/primera/javi-y-radu-eclipsan-a-novoa-f202610-n/) [2](https://cadenaser.com/euskadi/2026/10/18/el-alaves-cae-sin-merecerlo-en-balaidos-y-enlaza-5-partidos-sin-ganar-ser-vitoria/)

## Reporting sources
1. [AS: Javi y Radu eclipsan a Novoa](https://as.com/futbol/primera/javi-y-radu-eclipsan-a-novoa-f202610-n/) (2026-10-18)
2. [EFE via Cadena SER: El Alavés cae sin merecerlo en Balaídos y enlaza 5 partidos sin ganar](https://cadenaser.com/euskadi/2026/10/18/el-alaves-cae-sin-merecerlo-en-balaidos-y-enlaza-5-partidos-sin-ganar-ser-vitoria/) (2026-10-18)