Celtic hopes are dashed by Martinez
BAYERN MUNICH killed off Celtic’s hopes of reaching the knock-out stages of the Champions League but Brendan Rodgers’ side restored some pride after their mauling in Germany.
And Paris SaintGermain’s resounding win over Anderlecht leaves Celtic in the driving seat to clinch third spot and a place in the Europa League.
When Callum McGregor cancelled out Kingsley Coman’s first-half opener with a deft finish on 74 minutes, a rocking Celtic Park sensed another famous scalp.
But within three minutes, a towering header from Javi Martinez gave Bayern a 2-1 victory.
It was tough on the Scottish champions and, but for a glaring miss by Stuart Armstrong who scuffed wide from five yards out, they would have gone ahead after five minutes.
However Celtic have a habit of shooting themselves in the foot and they did so after 22 minutes when Coman was gifted a goal.
Dedryck Boyata allowed Sven Ulreich’s punt to sail over his head and with Craig Gordon rushing out of his goal, Coman sidestepped him before finding the net.
Ulreich foiled Armstrong with a fine save after the restart, while Gordon redeemed himself with a stop to deny James Rodriguez but was powerless to prevent Martinez heading the winner.
Progressing from Group B alongside Bayern are Paris Saint-Germain after a second-half hat-trick from Layvin Kurzawa
ROUND-UP
helped them defeat Anderlecht 5-0.
Marco Verratti curled in the opener after 30 minutes and Neymar made it 2-0 with a stunning strike.
Kurzawa slotted in his first-ever Champions League goal early in the second half, with his diving header making it 4-0 and his fierce drive completing his hat-trick and the rout.
CSKA Moscow’s late winner at Basle stopped Manchester United’s place in the last-16 being confirmed last night.
Luca Zuffi put the home side ahead but CSKA hit back in the second half with goals from Alan Dzagoev and Pontus Wernbloom giving them a 2-1 win.
It took the Russians level on points with the Swiss side with two games to play in Group A, but with Jose Mourinho’s men six points ahead and with a superior goal difference, their progression is a mere formality.
The blow of Chelsea’s defeat at Roma was softened with Group C rivals Atletico Madrid and Qarabag drawing 1-1.
Michel headed the Azerbaijan champions into a first-half lead, but Thomas Partey equalised for Diego Simeone’s men, who were unable to find a winner despite Pedro Henrique’s red card, with Atletico defender Stefan Savi also seeing red at the death.