Champions League holders Actual Madrid sealed Group F high spot with a commanding 5-1 win over Celtic on the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Wednesday (November 2).
With out a win of their final two Champions League video games, Los Blancos wanted a optimistic end result to progress as group winners forward of RB Leipzig. A objective every from Luka Modric, Rodrygo, Marco Asensio, Vinicius Junior, and Federico Valverde ensured that the Whites didn’t should depend on Leipzig’s end result to win their group. Jota scored the one objective for Celtic on Wednesday night time.
Actual Madrid began the sport brightly and gained a penalty after solely 5 minutes of play. After Celtic keeper Joe Hart saved Rodrygo’s shot, Valverde adopted by way of with the rebound. The Uruguayan’s shot bounced off the bottom and hit Moritz Jenz’s outstretched arm, prompting the referee to level to the spot. Modric despatched Hart the improper approach from the spot to place Actual Madrid forward.
Within the nineteenth minute, Vinicius Junior appeared destined to double Madrid’s lead with a tap-in on the far put up, however Hart made himself huge and blocked the Brazil worldwide’s shot. Sadly for him, his group conceded a second penalty the next minute, as soon as once more as a consequence of handball. Rodrygo took the second penalty, sending Hart the improper option to double his group’s benefit.
Earlier than the half-hour mark, Los Blancos goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was referred to as into motion a few instances, with Reo Hatate and Kyogo Furuhashi attempting their luck. Their photographs have been comfortably collected by Courtois.
Within the thirty third minute, Ferland Mendy dedicated a foul on Liel Abada, compelling the referee to award a penalty to Celtic. Josip Juranovic stepped up for it however his effort was not ok to beat Courtois.
Asensio and Vinicius Junior scored two good targets inside the primary quarter-hour of the second half, sending Madrid 4-0 up. Celtic striker Georgios Giakoumakis and Hatate drew two saves out of Courtois earlier than Valverde scored the fifth objective of the sport within the 71st minute.
Celtic’s greatest second of the match got here within the 84th minute when Portuguese sensation Jota dispatched a curling free kick to beat Courtois. The Scottish aspect, who completed final in Group F with two factors, pushed so as to add one other within the ultimate moments, however the hosts expertly neutralized their menace.
Listed below are 5 Actual Madrid gamers who stood out of their 5-1 win over Celtic on Wednesday:
#5 Vinicius Junior
Los Blancos’ poster boy Vinicius Junior didn’t have a straightforward night time on Wednesday. Celtic overloaded their proper flank as a rule to maintain a lid on the left winger, and have been profitable on a number of events.
🤤 Vinicius Junior has extra profitable dribbles per sport (4.2) than some other participant within the Champions League this season https://t.co/1ZOOjz8y4r
The Brazilian, nevertheless, was not one to be disheartened by the guests’ resolve. He in the end obtained his objective within the 61st minute, timing his run fantastically to beat his man and apply the of completion to Valverde’s cross. The objective apart, Vinicius Junior performed two key passes, gained three of 4 floor duels, and accomplished two dribbles.
#4 Luka Modric
Essentially the most skilled Actual Madrid participant on Wednesday’s pitch, Luka Modric, was at his sensible greatest towards the Scottish outfit. The Croatian stretched the sport together with his lengthy balls, dictated the tempo together with his passes, fulfilled defensive obligations, and scored Madrid’s opening objective from the spot.
The previous Tottenham Hotspur central midfielder delivered six correct lengthy balls, accomplished 69 passes (89.6% accuracy), and gained two of three duels on Wednesday night time. Dani Ceballos changed the Croat within the 66th minute.
#3 Thibaut Courtois
Though the scoreline suggests in any other case, Actual Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was busier than Celtic keeper Hart on Wednesday. His most memorable save of the night time got here within the thirty fifth minute when he denied Josip Juranovic from the spot.
The Celtic man went for energy over placement, aiming for the correct aspect of Courtois’ web. The Los Merengues keeper learn the path of the shot and made a powerful save together with his proper hand. Courtois made a complete of seven saves on Wednesday, together with three from contained in the field. He additionally performed 29 correct passes (85.3% accuracy) and precisely delivered three lengthy balls.
#2 Marco Asensio
Getting a uncommon begin in Karim Benzema’s absence, Marco Asensio produced a efficiency to recollect. His distribution was extraordinary, he created one probability after one other, and scored a neat objective within the 51st minute to triple his group’s lead.
He dashed into the field from the correct aspect, linked fantastically with Carvajal’s offload, and guided it previous the helpless Hart. The Spain worldwide additionally performed a game-high 5 key passes, accomplished 64 passes (94% accuracy), delivered two correct lengthy balls, and made three interceptions. It was simply Asensio’s greatest efficiency of the 2022-23 marketing campaign.
#1 Federico Valverde
Essentially the most in-form Actual Madrid participant in the meanwhile, Federico Valverde, was like a livewire on the Santiago Bernabeu pitch on Wednesday. He made sturdy runs, at all times tracked again, scored an outstanding long-ranger, and claimed an help.
Within the 61st minute, Valverde discovered himself in possession on the correct aspect of Celtic’s objective. He noticed Vinicius Junior’s run and delivered a low cross into the world. The Brazilian winger gently tucked it residence to quadruple his aspect’s benefit. Ten minutes after aiding Vinicius Junior, Valverde obtained on the scoresheet himself, scoring a side-footed screamer from outdoors the field.
◎ Fede Valverde’s first 148 video games for Actual Madrid: 6 targets◉ Fede Valverde in 18 video games this season: 8 goalsTwo extra and Don Carlo retains his teaching license. 🙏 https://t.co/sfApCvT4Gd
Along with two objective involvements, Valverde made 4 key passes, delivered three correct crosses, and created a giant probability. He additionally made three interceptions, tried a sort out, and gained a floor duel.
