Celtic have won plaudits for their Champions League efforts but they were offered a sobering reminder of the levels required to truly compete in this brutal final outing at the Bernabeu.
European champions Real Madrid turned on the style to run out 5-1 winners and see themselves through to the last 16 as group winners. A pair of penalties from Luka Modric and Rodrygo set them on their way before Marco Asensio, Vinicius Jr and Fede Valverde piled on the pain in the second-half. An excellent Jota free-kick at least gave the travelling support something to cheer about after Celtic had earlier passed up a penalty opportunity of their own, Thibaut Courtois saving from Josip Juranovic.
The result means Celtic do finish the group stage with their worst ever Champions League points tally with just two to show for their efforts. Postecoglou's team have stuck to their attacking guns throughout and it's made for some thrilling moments. But ultimately they've come up short, although will take confidence they can come back and improve if they win the Premiership title again this season.
So, how did the Celtic players rate on the night? Record Sport 's Michael Gannon runs the rule over Postecoglou's side.
JOE HART: Question marks over the opener and whether he could have raced from his line to collect the through ball. Made some smart saves though and no chance with the goals. 6
JOSIP JURANOVIC: Fluffed his big chance to grab a Champions League goal and get his side back in the game. It was a poor penalty but the Croatian had a decent game otherwise, despite being right up against it. 5
CARL STARFELT: There’s getting lobbed in at the deep end and then there was this. Back after two months out and it was about as tough as it gets. 5
MORITZ JENZ: Got himself in a right mess for the early penalty and nervy recovered. Looked nervy all night and put his side under pressure by constantly giving the ball away. 5
GREG TAYLOR: Got caught a few times on the ball early on as well amid a opening spell that could have been worse but came on to a game. 6
AARON MOOY: Another one who had a tough night. Took a decent ball in to feet in the box in the second half but his tough was too heavy, and it summed up much of his evening. 5
REO HATATE: Showed a lot of promise going forward and got himself into some threatening positions. Shooting was a bit wayward though and was chasing shadows in second half. 6
MATT O'RILEY: The playmaker has impressed in a deeper role with Callum McGregor out but he won’t have many tougher nights than this. Modric and Kroos were a nightmare to keep tabs on and his misery was complete with the unfortunate penalty against him. 5
LIEL ABADA: Posed some early threat and his burst in behind won Celts the penalty before the break. Lacked a bit of composure when fed on the break though. 5
DAIZEN MAEDA: Made life uncomfortable for Real defenders with his relentless energy and pressing. Prised a few openings for others as well in a positive performance from the Japan striker. 6
KYOGO FURUHASHI: Pressed and pushed, and got himself in to one or two scoring spots but wasn’t clinical when the opportunities came his way. Picked up a ridiculous booking. 5
Subs
Giorgios Giakoumakis (for Kyogo 63): Not far off with a stinging shot down the throat of Courtois 4
David Turnbull (for Mooy 63): Difficult to get a foothold when chasing a lost cause but showed some neat touches. 4
Jota (for Abada 63): Desperate to make an impression and produced something to cheer about with his consolation free kick. 6
Send Haksabanovic (for Maeda 63): Gave Celts another attacking option but couldn’t quite get a foothold. 3
Oliver Abildgaard (for Hatate 82): Chucked on late for some more minutes as he builds match fitness. 2
Not used: Siegrist; Bain; Bernabei; Ralston; Forrest; McCarthy; Welsh.
