Celta opened its 2026/27 preseason campaign against SC Braga on Saturday, July 18, with coach Claudio Giráldez naming a 25-player squad for the match in Portugal. The game was played at the Estádio Municipal de Braga. Independent match listings record a 2-2 draw, with Braga designated as the home side and Celta as the visitors.
The squad featured established figures such as Iván Villar, Radu, Marcos Alonso and Iago Aspas, alongside younger players including Coke Carrillo, Miguel Román and Joel López. The call-up also included Ferran Jutglà, Aleix Febas, Álvaro Núñez, Javi Galán, Javi Rueda, Williot, Javi Rodríguez, Matías Vecino, Hugo Álvarez, Carlos Domínguez, Ángel Arcos, Yoel Lago, Hugo Burcio, Hugo González, Óscar Marcos, Jones El-Abdellaoui and Bernard Somuah. Celta’s selection paired experienced players with emerging prospects as the club began preparing for the new season.
Fixture listings classify the Braga meeting as a club friendly, not a league or cup competition, including UEFA tournaments. Butenlive and OddsNG both record the final score as 2-2. OddsNG lists kickoff at 19:30, a time consistent with 20:30 in Spain during summer time, when Portugal is one hour behind.
Preseason friendlies give coaches a chance to evaluate players and tactics while building match fitness ahead of competitive fixtures. The draw left both teams without a win, but gave players an early chance to make their case for roles in the season ahead.
Supporters and analysts often follow preseason matches for early indications of team selection and potential surprises. This July’s football calendar included international tournaments and club friendlies. In a recent example of the busy summer schedule, crowd tensions marked the England-Argentina World Cup semifinal in Atlanta, a reminder of the intensity and unpredictability surrounding major football events.
Celta’s trip to Braga formed part of the club’s preparations for the 2026/27 campaign. The 2-2 result records the match outcome, while the named squad shows the mix of senior players and younger prospects selected for the preseason opener.
Preseason friendlies are a standard part of Spanish clubs’ preparations, typically scheduled in July and early August. Coaches use them to test lineups and assess fitness while integrating new signings or academy graduates. Unlike league fixtures, the result does not affect official standings; Celta’s meeting with Braga was recorded as a friendly in the 2026/27 football calendar.
