Real Madrid finished the group as winners as they produced one of the high-scoring football scores of the midweek action in the Champions League. In just 21 minutes at the Bernabeu, penalties by Luka Modric and Rodrygo gave the Spanish champions a 2-0 lead. Celtic, who had already been eliminated, had a chance to get one back in the 35th minute, but Thibaut Courtois saved Josip Juranovic’s penalty. After 71 minutes, Marco Asensio, Vinicius Junior, and Federico Valverde made it 5-0 as compensation for the Croatian defender’s error. Ange Postecoglou’s team ended last in Group F with four loses and two draws. Celtic scored a consolation goal in the 84th minute thanks to substitute Jota’s incredible free-kick.
Celtic knew they would finish last in their group regardless of the outcome of their final game at the Bernabeu, but they got off to the worst possible start when Real was given a penalty inside the opening five minutes. In the sixth minute, Real captain Modric scored after Moritz Jenz deflected Valverde’s attempt. As soon as Rodrygo’s shot impacted Matt O’Riley’s arm, Real was awarded another penalty, this time by VAR. The Brazilian stepped up to make it 2-0 in the 21st minute. After Ferland Mendy of Real Madrid fouled Liel Abada, referee Stephanie Frappart gave her third penalty of the game, but Juranovic’s attempt was stopped by goalie Thibaut Courtois.
Real added a third goal six minutes into the second half when Asensio made a superb first-time finish off of a knockdown from Dani Carvajal. In the 61st minute, Vinicius Junior made it 4-0 by converting Valverde’s cross, and ten minutes later, the Uruguayan added his name to the scoresheet with a sweeping first-time finish. Jota, however, gave the 1,800 Celtic fans in the away end something to cheer about when he curled a beautiful free-kick past Courtois. However, the 5-1 loss left the Scottish Premiership champions with just two points from six games, which was a record-low for a group-stage campaign in the Champions League.
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