Ademola Lookman Fails to Register Shot on Target as Atletico Madrid Fall to 10th League Defeat Against Celta Vigo

Atletico Madrid’s difficult week deepened on 9 May 2026 as Diego Simeone’s side fell to a 1-0 home defeat against Celta Vigo at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano — their 10th league loss of the season — just days after being knocked out of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals by Arsenal.

The physical and emotional toll of their midweek trip to London was evident throughout the contest. Simeone’s squad appeared depleted in both energy and sharpness, a condition that Claudio Giráldez’s Celta Vigo side exploited methodically. Executing a disciplined defensive structure, the visitors absorbed Atletico’s limited pressure before veteran striker Borja Iglesias struck in the second half to secure all three points and keep Celta’s own Champions League ambitions alive.

For Nigeria international Ademola Lookman, the result capped a deeply frustrating week. Already the subject of sharp criticism following his performance in the Champions League semi-final defeat to Arsenal, Lookman was unable to make a meaningful impact against a well-organised Celta backline. Despite showing activity on the ball, he failed to register a single shot on target and squandered a notable chance that could have given Atletico the lead. He was withdrawn from the pitch in the 60th minute — just moments before Iglesias scored the match-winning goal.

The opening 45 minutes offered little in the way of quality from either side. Atletico held the greater share of possession but were unable to generate genuine opportunities against Celta’s compact defensive shape. When they did manage to work their way into dangerous areas, Romanian goalkeeper Ionuț Radu stood firm. The shot-stopper was named Man of the Match after producing five saves across the 90 minutes, repeatedly denying Antoine Griezmann and Alexander Sørloth among others.

The deadlock was broken shortly after the hour mark when Borja Iglesias converted to silence the Metropolitano. Despite a late push from the home side, Atletico could not find a response, and Celta held on to claim a valuable away victory.

The defeat adds further pressure on Simeone, whose side have now lost ten league matches this season. Atletico entered the campaign with genuine aspirations of competing on multiple fronts, but their form in La Liga has been inconsistent throughout. The Champions League run — which took them to the final four — offered some consolation, though their elimination at the hands of Arsenal ended hopes of European glory.

For Lookman, who joined Atletico Madrid from Atalanta in the summer of 2025 after his standout 2023-24 season in Serie A — which included a hat-trick in the Europa League final — the current campaign has proven a more turbulent chapter. His struggles over the past week, both in the semi-final and now domestically, will invite continued scrutiny as Atletico look to close out their La Liga season.