Real Madrid don’t need a helping hand in the Santiago Bernabeu but Celtic gave them one any way after conceding TWO penalties for handball to set the 14-time champions on their way to a hammering of the Hoops.
Ange Postecoglou saw his men taught a harsh lesson by the Spaniards and masters of this competition as they ended Group F without too many of the positives that they have taken from previous encounters as the La Liga giants ripped them apart. Luka Modric fired the Spaniards in front from the spot after a handball by Moritz Jenz, Rodrygo added another penalty after Matt O’Riley was also penalised for handball before Josip Juranovic then missed a penalty for the visitors.
The Spaniards then really turned the screw after the break as Marco Asensio added a third with a classy finish and Vinicius Jnr and Federico Valverde added further goals before substitute Jota netted a brilliant free kick consolation. It was no surprise Celtic started on the front foot and they put pressure on their hosts but Real Madrid’s first real attack saw them take the lead with just six minutes on the clock when Valverde’s effort struck Jenz’s hand.
Modric stepped up and made no mistake from 12 yards. But to their credit, the Hoops didn’t let the heads drop and should have been level with their Japanese trio combining. Reo Hatate played a lovely ball down the channel for Daizen Maeda and he crossed for Kyogo who just couldn’t get enough on the ball to convert.
Hart made a terrific point blank save to deny Vinicius Jnr. but Rodrygo’s effort from the rebound struck Matt O’Riley’s elbow and, intervention from VAR Benoit Millot, referee Stephanie Frappart pointed to the spot and this time Rodrygo stepped up to blast beyond Hart.
Celtic were left with a mountain to climb after that and it could have been even bigger if Vinicius Jnr. hadn’t missed an absolute sitter but still the visitors threatened with Thibaut Courtois denying both Kyogo and Hatate.
And then came the best chance of all as the Hoops were awarded a penalty of their own when Liel Abada was brought down by Ferland Mendy. Up stepped Juranovic but the Croatian was denied by Courtois as a golden chance was squandered.
They were made to pay for that after the break when Spaniard Asensio sent a lovely controlled finish beyond Hart from Dani Carvajal’s cut back and when Vinicius Jnr got in front of Carl Starfelt to convert Valverde’s cross for a fourth it was worrying times.
Postecoglou made four changes with Jota, David Turnbull, Sead Haksabanovic and Giorgos Giakoumakis all thrown on but the home side were able to throw on Karim Benzema in a show of strength before Valverde swept home a brilliant fifth for Los Blancos.
It was a nightmare for those travelling fans but at least they were given something to cheer with Jota netting an exquisite free-kick as he produced that bit of magic it was going to take to beat Courtois.
Here's 5 talking points from the Spanish capital
Spot the difference
Celtic’s Group F campaign has been a story of missed chances and that was summed up again in this game not only in terms of opportunities from open play but even just in those penalty kick awards. Real Madrid netted twice from 12 yards while Celtic blew their penalty chance. There were other opportunities but that penalty situation alone shows how you have to take your chances at this level with Jota's excellent free kick too little, too late.
Madrid masters
There is no greater side in the history of this tournament than Real Madrid with the Spanish giants having had their name on this trophy a record 14 times. There is something magical about taking on Los Blancos in the competition and while it ended in disappointment for Celtic, it was a special occasion in the magnificent Santiago Bernabeu - more than four decades on from their last visit. Real Madrid have been in the knockout stage 26 seasons on the trot and had to win here to be sure of top spot in the section and few would bet against them retaining the title they won last season.
Ropey rearguard
So much has been made of Celtic failing to take their many chances in the Champions League and it was the same story again. Despite the scoreline, the Hoops had plenty of opportunities but couldn’t convert. And while Real Madrid were clinical there is no doubt Celtic could have been much better defensively as they made it far too easy for the Spaniards.
Ref justice
Frappart made history as the first female to take charge of a Champions League match when she was handed the Juventus v Dynamo Kiev clash two years ago and this was just her second outing in the competition. Celtic had every reason to be frustrated some of the Frenchwoman’s decisions, particularly the penalty for O’Riley’s handball after VAR review and others such as Kyogo’s booking.
Hartstopper
Hart has been a huge player for Postecoglou with the former England shot-stopper’s experience vital but after his big blunder against RB Leipzig in Germany he wasn’t too clever in the build-up to Real Madrid’s first penalty award when he stayed on his line instead of coming for the long ball forward with Rodrygo getting a shot away before the ball was kept alive and Valverde’s effort struck Jenz’s hand. He recovered to make big saves but has been prone to errors at key times.
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