A HEAVY 5-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the Bernabeu brought Celtic’s first Champions League campaign in five years to a close in demoralising fashion tonight.
But they were desperately unlucky rather than dire - their chances of recording a famous result in the Spanish capital and finishing the group stages on a positive note were effectively scuppered when they had two penalties awarded against them for hand balls in the first-half.
The first, when a Federico Valverde shot struck the arm of Moritz Jenz, was unfortunate. The second, given after French referee Stephanie Frappart viewed a replay on the pitchside monitor, was harsh in the extreme. Matt O’Riley knew nothing about the ferocious attempt that Rodrygo rifled at him from close range.
It is unlikely Celtic would have got a result, even a draw, against the holders if those decisions had not gone against them. Real showed exactly why they won this competition for the 14th occasion back in May. The holders were deserved and comfortable winners at the end of the 90 minutes. Still, the calls did nothing to help their cause.
Ange Postecoglou’s side once again impressed onlookers greatly with their play against Carlo Ancelotti’s team. They produced some sparkling football, created several gilt-edged opportunities, tested Thibaut Courtois numerous times and won a spot kick of their own when the scoreline was 2-0.
However, Josip Juranovic failed to convert it. The Croatian internationalist had buried all five of his previous attempts. But the Belgian goalkeeper denied him. It was just one of those nights for the Scottish champions.
That Joe Hart and his team mates were applauded off the park by their supporters after the final whistle told a story. They can have no complaints about finishing bottom of Group F and exiting Europe. Their finishing must improve greatly if they are to progress in future. Still, they have had no breaks whatsoever in their campaign.
The absence of Cameron Carter-Vickers – the centre half and stand-in skipper did not travel due to the knee injury that he suffered against Livingston on the artificial surface at Almondvale on Sunday - was a huge blow for Celtic.
Carl Starfelt returned after two months out and took his place alongside Moritz Jenz in the heart of backline. It was the first time the pair had kicked off a game together. It was hardly the ideal place to strike up a partnership.
Karim Benzema, who had been sidelined with muscular fatigue, failed to make the Real starting line-up. But Ancelotti still fielded Marco Asensio, Vinicius Jnr and Rodrygo in his front three. Their quality shone through.
It may have been a meaningless match for Celtic, whose chances of finishing third and dropping into the Europa League had ended with their draw to Shakhtar Donetsk in Glasgow eight days earlier, but their rivals had all to play for.
That the hosts wanted to win, top the section and be seeded in the last 16 draw next week was obvious from kick-off. They took the lead after their first meaningful attack in the fifth minute when Jenz inadvertently handled a Valverde attempt. Luka Modric sent Hart the wrong way.
It left the Scottish champions with an uphill task. To their credit, they remained patient, stuck to their gameplan and went close to levelling. Kyogo Furuhashi fired wide after his countryman Daizen Maeda had squared to him in front of goal and Reo Hatate volleyed over after Liel Abada had chested a Juranovic cross down to the midfielder.
Celtic fell two behind in the cruellest circumstances imaginable when Frappert decided to give a penalty after being advised by her VAR colleagues to look at a Rodrygo effort which had hit O’Riley. The Brazilian stepped forward and put Real two ahead.
Once again, their opponents set about fighting their way back into the game. Courtois saved from Hatate and Furuhashi before winger Abada cut inside and was brought down by left back Mendy inside his own area.
The hundreds of vocal travelling supporters who were perched high at the top of the fabled arena would have put their drinking money on Juranovic pulling one back from 12 yards out. Courtois, though, got his left hand to the penalty.
Asensio wrapped up the victory for Real six minutes into the second-half after Dani Carvajal chipped into his path and Vinicius Jnr got in on the act 10 minutes later when he turned in a Valverde cross from the right.
Postecoglou immediately threw on Giorgos Giakoumakis, Sead Haksabanovic, David Turnbull and Jota. Ancelotti responded by introducing Benzema to proceedings. Giakoumakis fired straight at Courtois, Valverde curled beyond Hart.
Jota gave Celtic’s fans something to cheer with seven minutes remaining when he curled a sublime free-kick over the defensive wall and into the top left corner. But it was a consolation goal and then some.
The Bernabeu is currently being redeveloped at a cost of €800m – its capacity is being increased to just over 85,000 and a retractable roof and pitch are being installed - and both its exterior and interior resembles a construction site at the moment.
Celtic have laid the foundations for future success in Europe this season even though they will not be involved when club football resumes following the World Cup. Those were by no means reduced to rubble tonight. But this outing shows they have a few more building blocks to put in place before they can realise their ambitions.
