BHOYS HAVE NO REPLY TO REAL CLASS
CELTIC put up a brave fight, but they were ultimately undone by the sheer quality of Real Madrid’s all-stars.
Two goals within four minutes – from Real Madrid striker Vinicius Junior and then playmaker Luka Modric – helped to knock the fight out of the Bhoys.
They had managed to keep the European champions at bay for a first half that remained goalless.
But, on 56 minutes, Vinicius Junior put the visitors ahead before Modric added the second (below), giving keeper Joe Hart little chance, to see the men in black into a comfortable lead.
And then Eden Hazard – who had come on as a substitute for Karim Benzema with just half an hour of the game gone – sealed the victory for Carlo Ancelotti’s team with a simple tap-in on 77 minutes.
Celtic had begun brightly, with Liel Abada’s shot deflected wide after just 27 seconds. And they went close again in the 13th minute, with Abada again at the heart of the action, but firing his shot straight at keeper Thibaut Courtois.
Eight minutes later, Celtic went closer, hitting the post from Callum McGregor’s strike at the edge of the penalty area.
Real were then dealt a blow with 30 minutes played as striker Benzema failed to shake off a knock which had left him limping.
Real broke the deadlock soon after the restart when a counter-attack sparked a series of slick one-touch passes, including a wonderful flick from Modric, then a raking pass from Federico Valverde that Vinicius Junior finished off for 1-0.
Four minutes later, Modric saw his shot blocked by defender Moritz Jenz, but he was first to the loose ball and skilfully fired it home with the outside of his boot.
At 36 years and 362 days, Modric is now the oldest player to score for Real in the European Cup/Champions League since Ferenc Puskas, in September 1965.
Hazard added the cream late on, tapping in after what was a 33-pass move from the Champions League holders.