Celtic vs Real Madrid LIVE: Champions League result, final score and reaction tonight
The Champions League holders begin their defence with a trip to Scotland as Carlo Ancelotti and Ange Postecoglou meet for the first time
At once a genuinely unique occasion, and also a relatively routine win for Real Madrid. Celtic Park joyously showcased the deafening decibel levels a Champions League night should reach, but the European champions reminded them of the level required to actually compete.
Those last few words are why there is absolutely no shame to this 3-0 defeat for Celtic, who should instead be proud of the manner of their performance.
This is just the modern Champions League. Ange Postecoglou has also ensured it’s a very modern Celtic.
They put it up to Madrid more than Chelsea did at home last season, or even Paris Saint-Germain in the second half at the Bernabeu. There were long periods - and some tantalisingly thrilling moments - where it seemed like something even more special could be happening. Celtic had the chances. It’s just, since they didn’t take them, Madrid were always going to have the decisive quality.
It was a vintage European night in that way, too. If you don’t take your chances, the best sides will punish you.
Follow rection from Celtic vs Real Madrid live below:
GOAL! 60’- Celtic 0-2 Real Madrid
And the second quickly follows! Hazard gets into space through the middle, feeds it to Modric and he cuts inside the last defender, just about keeps control of the ball and pokes in with the outside of the right boot, just out of reach of Hart.
Two goals in just over three minutes and it’s a long way back suddenly for Celtic.
GOAL! 57’ - Celtic 0-1 Real Madrid
There’s the breakthrough! Vinicius Jr scores but it started from the back with Courtois, Valverde then blazing down the right and Vini with a cool and collected side-foot finish into the net.
Great move down the flank and Celtic fall behind.
53’ - Celtic 0-0 Real Madrid
Real Madrid largely controlling possession at the start of this half, but Celtic are defending stoutly and looking to break when they can still. Jota remains an outlet, or at least the target for an outlet, but the balls to him are asking a lot of his speed and willingness to run at Carvajal time after time.
49’ - Celtic 0-0 Real Madrid
Really good early chance for Maeda as a cross from Juranovic finds him free just six-yards from goal - but he mis-kicks entirely and it bobbles through to Courtois. Maybe down to him only just having come on. At the other end Hazard momentarily looks as though he is free and in, but he turns away instead and the chance quickly disappears.
46’ - Celtic 0-0 Real Madrid
Second half underway. Rudiger on for Militao for Real Madrid, with the Brazilian suffering a muscle issue. For Celtic, Liel Abada is replaced by Daizen Maeda.
Changes afoot for the visitors as they look to get themselves three points on the board at the first time of asking.
Elsewhere in Europe at half-time:
Salzburg 1-1 AC Milan
Leipzig 0-1 Shakhtar
Sevilla 0-1 Man City
PSG 2-0 Juventus
Benfica 0-0 Maccabi Haifa
Earlier:
Dinamo Zagreb 1-0 Chelsea
Dortmund 3-0 Copenhagen
Half time score: Celtic 0-0 Real Madrid
There’s the whistle and we’ve reached the interval.
Great first half all things considered for Celtic, but they were so close to opening the scoring with McGregor smashing the post.
Benzema a big loss for Real Madrid, replaced by Hazard in that half.
44’ - Celtic 0-0 Real Madrid
Giakoumakis with a knock, then Eder Militao pulls up too. Play continues around them both. Hart makes another routine stop from a long-range effort. Real Madrid with a lot more possession now but still no sign of the breakthrough.
One minute added on.
41’ - Celtic 0-0 Real Madrid
Big stop from Joe Hart! Vini Jr goes racing down the left channel, cuts in and is one-on-one - but Hart spreads himself and makes a fine block!
Just prior to that it was Hazard who found himself in with a chance, but he awkwardly steers the ball wide at the far post.
37’ - Celtic 0-0 Real Madrid
Hatate tries to thread a pass from deep for Abada to run onto but Real clean up without too much fuss. Celtic not getting as many players forward now as we approach the break. Getting to the interval at 0-0 sounds good, but they’ll think they probably should have been in front.
Still plenty of time to go before the whistle, however.
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