Celtic hosted Barcelona in a Group C clash at the UEFA Champions League. The Catalan Club came in knowing that a win would see them advance to the knockout stage as pool winners and with Lionel Messi back after missing one match due to illness, Barca were a likely bet to make it happen.
And as expected, the Spanish champions pretty much have their way with the overpowered hosts. But when you've got players who can do this -- that's Neymar lobbing a ball in for Messi to tuck into the corner, you can basically have your way with most teams. Sensational stuff. And they make it look so easy, 1-0 Barca.
Then in the 41st minute, Messi sends in a perfect cross for Luis Suarez, but Craig Gordon makes a fantastic save on the Uruguayan.
Celtic do manage to create some decent opportunities like this, but Moussa Dembele sends his header right to Marc Andre ter Stegen.
In the 56th minute, Barca are given a chance to double their lead when Suarez is hauled down in the area by Emilio Izaguirre for an obvious penalty. The referee points straight to the spot. On what is really a clumsy tackle from the Honduran international.
Messi calmly sends it down the middle to make it 2-0 for the Catalans.
They ease off from there, but Suarez would have one more great chance, but he hits the post and the match ends 2-0 Barca who top Group C.
"We would have had a big chance. There is not doubt about that. It shows the difference he makes. If you look at the game during the weekend, as one of many examples. The difference with Lionel Messi is he is a great player. Arguably the best player that has ever played football, and when he plays in your team, he makes everyone else better," said Brendan Rodgers, Celtic Coach.
"So if he playing for Celtic tonight, there's no doubt he will makes us better, but he is a phenomenal player. An absolute incredible player. He is always hungry to score. His first goal was that run that he makes very fast and that wonderful finish. Our players will learn that you cannot give that short space to a player of that quality."
"It was the game we expected, with Celtic trying to make our movement of the ball more complicated. They pressured us very much on the pitch, but we did not have too many problems playing from the back. We felt much better within the game, and we started to create chances to score," said Luis Enrique, Barcelona Coach.
"It was the game we expected, with Celtic trying to make our movement of the ball more complicated. They pressured us very much on the pitch, but we did not have too many problems playing from the back. We felt much better within the game, and we started to create chances to score," said Luis Enrique, Barcelona Coach.
"I think it was a great game in one of the most difficult groups of the Champions League. We are already qualified as top of the group with one game left. I think I would like to congratulate my team."
ROSTOV 3 - BAYERN MUNICH 2
In Group D, Bayern Munich would travel to Russian side Rostov and take the lead after 35 minutes when Douglas Costa clerans up a loose ball by slamming it into the net.1-0 Bavarians.
The hosts draw level a minute before the break, thanks to a bad backpass from Costa. Sardar Azmoun is sent clear and rounds Jerome Boateng to calmly finish into the bottom right corner and it's 1-ALL at half-time.
Bayern's sluggish defence is punished again four minutes after the break, as Boateng trips Christian Noboa in the box.
Dmitri Poloz puts Rostov in front from the penalty spot, making it 2-1 for the Russkies.
But the home club's advantage doesn't last long. Juan Bernat drives the ball into the roof of the net three minutes later, and it's 2-ALL.
But there would be no salvation for Munich. Thiago Alcantara's reckless foul gives away a free-kick on 67 minutes.
Noboa then curls a wonderful ball over the wall, and into the corner. The brilliant free-kick earns Rostov a shocking victory, as they edge the mighty Bavarians 3-2. Bayern Munich lose the top spot after falling to the Russian side, who claim their first-ever win in the Champions League.
In Wednesday's other match in Group D, Atletico Madrid beat PSV Eindhoven 2-NIL to take over first place. In Group A, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain drew 2-ALL and both qualify for the knockout stage. Napoli were held 0-0 by Dynamo Kiev, but sit on top of Group B via goal difference. Manchester City salvaged a draw against Moenchengladbach to survive Group C.
ROSTOV 3 - BAYERN MUNICH 2
In Group D, Bayern Munich would travel to Russian side Rostov and take the lead after 35 minutes when Douglas Costa clerans up a loose ball by slamming it into the net.1-0 Bavarians.
The hosts draw level a minute before the break, thanks to a bad backpass from Costa. Sardar Azmoun is sent clear and rounds Jerome Boateng to calmly finish into the bottom right corner and it's 1-ALL at half-time.
Bayern's sluggish defence is punished again four minutes after the break, as Boateng trips Christian Noboa in the box.
Dmitri Poloz puts Rostov in front from the penalty spot, making it 2-1 for the Russkies.
But the home club's advantage doesn't last long. Juan Bernat drives the ball into the roof of the net three minutes later, and it's 2-ALL.
But there would be no salvation for Munich. Thiago Alcantara's reckless foul gives away a free-kick on 67 minutes.
Noboa then curls a wonderful ball over the wall, and into the corner. The brilliant free-kick earns Rostov a shocking victory, as they edge the mighty Bavarians 3-2. Bayern Munich lose the top spot after falling to the Russian side, who claim their first-ever win in the Champions League.
In Wednesday's other match in Group D, Atletico Madrid beat PSV Eindhoven 2-NIL to take over first place. In Group A, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain drew 2-ALL and both qualify for the knockout stage. Napoli were held 0-0 by Dynamo Kiev, but sit on top of Group B via goal difference. Manchester City salvaged a draw against Moenchengladbach to survive Group C.
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