Celtic celebrates big Barcelona win
Source: Agencies |
November 9, 2012, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
BARCELONA wasted its first chance to reach the Champions League last 16 after a surprise defeat at Celtic but Manchester United edged through and six-goal Bayern Munich rocketed closer to progression on Wednesday.
Favorites Barcelona lost 1-2 in Glasgow after Victor Wanyama and Tony Watt struck in a famous win for the modest Scottish champion, which exposed the continued defensive frailties of the slick passing Catalans with non-stop energy and physicality.
Lionel Messi pulled one back late on but the point that would have put the Group G leader through was not forthcoming even if it still leads Celtic by two points and Benfica - a 2-0 winner over Spartak Moscow, by five with two to play.
United came from behind to win 3-1 at Braga after a Robin van Persie strike, Wayne Rooney's penalty and Javier Hernandez's goal in the final 10 minutes sealed a knockout stage berth as group winner.
A powercut after Alan's opening penalty for the Portuguese host had held up the Group H game for around 10 minutes in the second half but United roared back.
Galatasaray's 3-1 win in Cluj left second spot wide open.
Shakhtar Donetsk could have gone through with a win in Group E but lost 2-3 at stuttering holder Chelsea, which netted in injury time through Victor Moses's header from a corner to spark wild scenes at Stamford Bridge.
Brazilian William, who has been linked with the Londoners after he helped the Ukrainians win 23 out of their last 23 domestic league games, had equalized twice with neat finishes after well-worked moves from the 2009 UEFA Cup winner.
Donetsk had shot itself in the foot early on when goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov's clearance cannoned into the goal off Fernando Torres and the keeper's clearing header was wonderfully sent into the net from distance by Oscar to make it 2-1.
Juventus powered to 4-0 home victory over Denmark's Nordsjaelland but the Turin side stays third on six points.
Peruvian striker Claudio Pizarro bagged a 15-minute first-half hat-trick to help host Bayern batter Lille 6-1 and top Group F with nine points alongside Valencia, a 4-2 winner at home to BATE Borisov thanks to Sofiane Feghouli's brace.
Bundesliga leader Bayern, beaten by Chelsea in last season's final, was 5-0 up at halftime against the hapless Ligue 1 outfit after Bastian Schweinsteiger and Arjen Robben had also hit the net. Toni Kroos made it six in the second period after Salomon Kalou's meaningless effort for Lille.
Celtic has long been pilloried for the weakness of the Scottish league it dominates, made worse this season by the demotion of long-time rival Rangers due to financial problems.
The lack of competitiveness domestically had hit Celtic's recent European campaigns but the 1967 winner is in with a shout of a rare last 16 spot despite having only 16.4 percent possession against a Barca side which lost in the group stage for the first time since 2009.
Barca, going for a fifth title, has recently had to field questions about its lack of options at the back and lack of willingness to buy center halves, looked shaky despite the return of Gerard Pique off the bench.
Wanyama headed in at the far post from a corner on 21 minutes and 18-year-old substitute Watt could not believe his luck seven minutes from time when Xavi missed a long punt up field and the youngster finished off with aplomb.
Messi then made for a nervous finish in stoppage time but Celtic Park soon erupted with joy as the whistle blew to crown a remarkable triumph.
Favorites Barcelona lost 1-2 in Glasgow after Victor Wanyama and Tony Watt struck in a famous win for the modest Scottish champion, which exposed the continued defensive frailties of the slick passing Catalans with non-stop energy and physicality.
Lionel Messi pulled one back late on but the point that would have put the Group G leader through was not forthcoming even if it still leads Celtic by two points and Benfica - a 2-0 winner over Spartak Moscow, by five with two to play.
United came from behind to win 3-1 at Braga after a Robin van Persie strike, Wayne Rooney's penalty and Javier Hernandez's goal in the final 10 minutes sealed a knockout stage berth as group winner.
A powercut after Alan's opening penalty for the Portuguese host had held up the Group H game for around 10 minutes in the second half but United roared back.
Galatasaray's 3-1 win in Cluj left second spot wide open.
Shakhtar Donetsk could have gone through with a win in Group E but lost 2-3 at stuttering holder Chelsea, which netted in injury time through Victor Moses's header from a corner to spark wild scenes at Stamford Bridge.
Brazilian William, who has been linked with the Londoners after he helped the Ukrainians win 23 out of their last 23 domestic league games, had equalized twice with neat finishes after well-worked moves from the 2009 UEFA Cup winner.
Donetsk had shot itself in the foot early on when goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov's clearance cannoned into the goal off Fernando Torres and the keeper's clearing header was wonderfully sent into the net from distance by Oscar to make it 2-1.
Juventus powered to 4-0 home victory over Denmark's Nordsjaelland but the Turin side stays third on six points.
Peruvian striker Claudio Pizarro bagged a 15-minute first-half hat-trick to help host Bayern batter Lille 6-1 and top Group F with nine points alongside Valencia, a 4-2 winner at home to BATE Borisov thanks to Sofiane Feghouli's brace.
Bundesliga leader Bayern, beaten by Chelsea in last season's final, was 5-0 up at halftime against the hapless Ligue 1 outfit after Bastian Schweinsteiger and Arjen Robben had also hit the net. Toni Kroos made it six in the second period after Salomon Kalou's meaningless effort for Lille.
Celtic has long been pilloried for the weakness of the Scottish league it dominates, made worse this season by the demotion of long-time rival Rangers due to financial problems.
The lack of competitiveness domestically had hit Celtic's recent European campaigns but the 1967 winner is in with a shout of a rare last 16 spot despite having only 16.4 percent possession against a Barca side which lost in the group stage for the first time since 2009.
Barca, going for a fifth title, has recently had to field questions about its lack of options at the back and lack of willingness to buy center halves, looked shaky despite the return of Gerard Pique off the bench.
Wanyama headed in at the far post from a corner on 21 minutes and 18-year-old substitute Watt could not believe his luck seven minutes from time when Xavi missed a long punt up field and the youngster finished off with aplomb.
Messi then made for a nervous finish in stoppage time but Celtic Park soon erupted with joy as the whistle blew to crown a remarkable triumph.
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