Celtic gave it everything they had at Parkhead against the reigning European champions Real Madrid. While they walked out with just a 3-0 defeat to show for it, their efforts troubled their illustrious opponents at times. The fact the visitors could call upon substitutes purchased for nine figure sums showed the disparity between the respective champions of Spain and Scotland. But the divide did not look that vast on the pitch at times, despite the unflattering result.
Anyone thinking Celtic would be overawed by facing the most decorated team in Champions League history was swiftly proven wrong. Liel Abada fired an early warning shot, dragging a smart Giorgos Giakoumakis lay-off wide. A searching Reo Hatate ball nearly set Jota free, but Eder Militao shepherded the danger. There was also a superb move involving Matt O'Riley, Giakoumakis and Callum McGregor. Some quick interchanges ended with the latter clattering a powerful effort onto the woodwork.
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European nights against feisty opposition are usually where Karim Benzema thrives. It looked like he would do just that when he teased a volley from a Vinicius Jr cross. But the magnificent Frenchman withdrew with an injury to his right knee midway through the half, replaced by that ghost of Chelsea past, Eden Hazard.
The best work Los Blancos did in the first period all came from Vinicius. The precocious Brazilian’s finest moment came when he raced into the box and could only be denied by a full-stretch Joe Hart, who reacted brilliantly to the danger.
Both Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou and Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti made changes at the break. Antonio Rudiger came on to replace Eder Militao while Abada made way for Daizen Maida. Maida made an instant impact. O’Riley found Josip Juranovic who played in the Japan international. His effort was saved, but Celtic had started the second half with the same verve and kineticism as they began the first.
Just like that, it's a massive uphill battle for Celtic 😰
#UCL
But unlike the first half, Real were quick to fight back. Federico Valverde crossed for Vinicius, who coolly passed the ball past Hart. While the goal was harsh on Celtic, who had played brilliantly, it was well-deserved for Vinicius. His industry, pace and technique had been his side’s greatest weapon all night long.
Los Blancos smelled blood now, and the next sharp cut would come from a familiar face. Hazard’s swift break saw him find Luka Modric. The classy veteran struck a superb outside-of-the-boot strike with his right foot, bending the ball out of the grasp of Joe Hart. Having performed brilliantly for almost an hour, Celtic were now two goals down.
Coveted wonderkid Eduardo Camavinga came on for Aurelin Tchouameni. The depth on talent the Champions League holders can call on is simply astounding. Celtic had options of their own. Postecoglou opted to make a triple change, bringing on Aaron Mooy, David Turnbull and Kyogo Furuhashi for O’Riley, Hetate and Giakoumakis.
Toni Kroos found Dani Carvajal with a superb long pass before the Spain international squared for Hazard. The much-maligned Madrid star finished well to make it 3-0. Unbelievably, it was just his seventh goal for the Spanish champions since joining from Chelsea in 2019. The Belgian has had a lot of bad nights in Madrid colours, but his fine display here will go down as one of the better ones.
The superb Vinicius was replaced with Rodrygo while the iconic Modric was replaced by Marcos Asensio. Once again the embarrassment of riches available to Madrid was writ large. Even the most devoted Hoops fan would not deny either of those replacements would start every week at Celtic Park.
It was a gap Celtic just could not close on the night. There will be easier nights than this. Shakhtar Donetsk and RB Leipzig may not find it as easy to shrug off the incredible atmosphere Celtic Park had to offer tonight. The real work starts now if The Bhoys are going to establish themselves as a Champions League team. They’ve lost to the best. Now they have to try and beat the rest.
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
