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0-0: A game lacking goals
Espanyol were better than Celta and deserved to win the last game of the season
Espanyol finished off the season with a good game against R. Playing for survival, the team from Vigo showed their apprehension about facing Rufete's squad. The Blue and Whites were the better side and deserved to take the three points. Embarba scored a goal which was disallowed in a strange VAR decision. In the end, a draw concluded La Liga.
Having various missing players due to sanctions and other technicalities meant that Rufete had to field an innovative starting eleven. Oier returned as goalkeeper, David López moved back into central defence to make way for Pol Lozano in midfield. Wu Lei was the benchmark in attack, accompanied by Embarba in the middle. For Espanyol it was an opportunity to end the season with a victory against Celta who were fighting to avoid relegation. Having thought they were saved a few days ago, the team from Vigo reached the last chapter of the championship with their work cut out and with one eye on the Leganés-Real Madrid game.
Celta started by trying to dominate the game. Aspas tried to put them ahead with a free kick, but as time wore on, the Vigo team faded against an Espanyol side who were proving to be far more energetic than in their recent games at the RCDE Stadium. Dominating the attack, Wu Lei had three good opportunities to score; one of them would have made it had it not been stopped by Iván Villar. The Blue and Whites were undoubtedly much better than Celta and after some strong play, they put themselves ahead in the first half's extra time with a great goal from Embarba. However, a strange decision from the VAR review meant that the goal was disallowed. Despite their best efforts, the team didn't manage to score again in the closing minutes.
After the break, Espanyol came out strongly and controlled the game. Having been shy in the first half, Melamed started to shake off the pressure and became a key factor in some great minutes of football. The young star gave veteran Hugo Mallo a headache. Matías Vargas was another player who came out with all guns blazing. The Argentine got a shot on goal as soon as he could but it was a little off target. Celta looked like they wanted to get out of their hole, but they were too timid to do so. Celta had their hearts in their mouths throughout the final minutes. Espanyol kept on until the final whistle, with a shot hitting Víctor Sánchez's crossbar - which was later called offside - and a possible penalty to Vargas that wasn't considered. One point to end the season.