Ange Postecoglou led Celtic back to the big time in the Champions League group stage – and they don't come much bigger than Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.
The Scottish Premiership champions knew their European adventure was over as they jetted off for Madrid, while Carlo Ancelotti's side had to win to secure top spot in the group ahead of RB Leipzig. However, that didn't stop Celtic attempting to go toe-to-toe with the European champions as Postecoglou implemented his all-out attacking style on Los Blancos on their own patch.
In the end, the Hoops received a harsh lesson as scintillating Real outclassed Celtic in Spain - while VAR dominated the conversation with two penalties awarded to the home side inside the opening 20 minutes. 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.
Josip Juranvoic would be denied by Thibaut Courtois from the spot before the break, before Real Madrid went through the gears in the second half. Marco Asensio, Vinicius Jnr and Federico Valverde got on the scoresheet before Jota netted a consolation with an inch-perfect free-kick.
The eyes of the world and its media were on Celtic, but were they criticised for the 5-1 defeat or earn plaudits for Angeball? Record Sport took a look at what press from around the globe had to say.
AS (Spain)
"A thoroughly convincing win for Real Madrid in the end, who qualify for the round of 16 as group winners. Celtic came to play (bravery or naïvety?) and more than contributed to the spectacle but left themselves open at the back and could ultimately have conceded more than five goals.
"Los Blancos have long been known for their ruthless streak and if you give them chances, they have proved time and time again that they will capitalise, which is exactly what happened here. Fede Valverde scored the pick of the goals with another fine strike from the edge of the area.
"Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois had plenty of work to do and Celtic will feel they could also have had another goal or two. But their defensive weaknesses were fully exploited by Carlo Ancelotti's side, who racked up their biggest victory of the season so far."
L'Equipe (France)
"The European champions signed off with a very big victory against Celtic players, already eliminated and who came to enjoy the Bernabeu. It was mainly the Meringue who feasted in attack in this very open match. They revived and thus validated their first place in group F ahead of Leipzig."
Marca (Spain)
"Real Madrid had something of an easy night as secured top spot in the group ahead of Leipzig. Celtic couldn't resist the Los Blancos attack, and weren't helped by giving away two early penalties. Jota did get a late consolation, but all in all, Ancelotti's men had the measure of the Scottish side."
Bild (Germany)
"Real Madrid deservedly won 5-1 against Celtic. After the 2-0 lead at the break for the visitors were still slightly happy, but the home side came out of the break better and used their chances ice cold.
"After just over 70 minutes, it was 5-0 to Madrid and the game was decided. Shortly before the end, Celtic made it 1-5 with a dream goal from Jota. In the end, Real wins Group F ahead of Leipzig with 13 points. Celtic remain fourth in the group with two points and are eliminated from the Champions League."
El Pais (Spain)
"Real Madrid has beaten Celtic (5-1) in the last match of the Champions League group stage. The Scottish team was able to score in the final stretch of the match with a free kick executed by Jota.
"Real Madrid clearly dominated the game, although the Scottish team pressed in the opposite field and tried to run on the counterattack. Celtic created several opportunities reaching the Madrid goal but were unable to convert the chances into goals."
ABC (Spain)
"The Scottish bravery gave the match a cheerful, frank and enjoyable air. There were spaces, and the tactics were not suffocating. Madrid played with ups and downs, letting themselves go a bit, until they connected two or three passes and achieved a higher level of play that dismantled Celtic. The only blemish of Jota's consolation goal. It was a classic European party."
Optus (Australia)
"Those shortcomings have understandably been frustrating for supporters to see play out in real time. Missing a string of golden chances, finding themselves exposed after slack turnovers and a few out-of-character stage fright mistakes have all allowed Real Madrid, RB Leipzig and Shakhtar Donetsk to pick up the results they needed to shunt Celtic into the role of afterthoughts in Group F. Celtic did at least go into all six matches with the aim of imprinting their own style of football and attacking phases of play on the opposition.
"There were no great tactical concessions to play regressively and hope to scrape a result or two that wouldn’t have really added to the overall journey that Postecoglou wants to take this club on. This approach has undoubtedly earned goodwill from fans and observers who are happy to buy into what the Celtic boss is selling.
"However, the reality is that in the cold and unforgiving environment of the Champions League there are no real moral victories. Postecoglou now faces the task of bridging the gap from ‘plucky try hards’ to ‘genuinely dangerous’ at Champions League level over the next 12 months. That isn’t going to be an easy process and truthfully there are no obvious solutions."
ND Sports (India)
"European champions Real Madrid made light work of Celtic with a 5-1 win to progress to the Champions League last 16 as Group F winners on Wednesday.
"The comprehensive victory over Ange Postecoglou's side, who pulled one back with an impressive Jota free-kick, left them a point above second-place Leipzig, with the German side beating Shakhtar Donetsk 4-0.
"Celtic offered Madrid not one, but two, helping hands, and they were grateful to get back to winning ways after suffering their first defeat of the season in all competitions against Leipzig last week, and then drawing with Girona in La Liga."
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