For Celtic, a valuable learning experience at the highest level. The roar of pride and belief that greeted them at the final whistle was a fitting salute for a team that had left every bit of themselves on that Parkhead pitch. They had run and run and battled this great Madrid team for almost an hour. If they had been able to take advantage of their chances, they might have won. But in this rarefied air, these are the narrow hinges of success and failure. Celtic knew how to start. Madrid knew how to finish. “The first goal was always going to be important,” lamented Ange Postecoglou, who refused to get too excited by the performance. Because this is a developing side, a learning side, a side still getting used to this kind of challenge. Most of all, they will remember the incredible swell of noise and fervor that started this game, when the night was still alive with color and potential. The East End has been waiting for this. Five years on from the Champions League, nine since their last group stage win at home and the classic anthems were greeted with a surprising roar by a crowd who feel their team may once again be capable of greatness. Celtic came to play. They didn’t play recklessly, they didn’t just hack long balls to Giorgos Giakoumakis who was returning. Postecoglou has taught them better than that. Instead, they moved purposefully through midfield, waited out Madrid’s spells of possession, tried to hit the open spaces behind their high line. Reo Hatate even had the audacity to challenge the great Luka Modric when he cleared the ball into his own half. From front to back, Celtic showed the 14-time champions magnificent disrespect. Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior guides the champions past Joe Hart. Photo: Russell Cheyne/Reuters There were chances too, good chances: a couple for Liel Abada, a couple for Hatate, a shot from captain Callum McGregor that crashed inside the post. Madrid were further troubled by an early injury to Karim Benzema, who hit his knee, limped off briefly and eventually came off for Eden Hazard. So Real fell back on their tried and tested patterns: Toni Kroos dropped to left-back, Ferland Mendy stepped up to support Vinícius Jr and suddenly Real had a bomb in that flank. If the left wing is their chaos, the right wing is their logic: Modric and Fede Valverde steadily build play, look for gaps, always unbalance, always tilt the pitch. In time order was imposed. Madrid finished the first half stronger and never relinquished that sense of control. The rusty Hazard was gradually finding some rhythm and was involved in the counter-attack that brought the first goal. Start your evenings with the Guardian’s view of the world of football Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Valverde shot to the right and turned the ball into a deserted penalty area. He knew without looking that Vinícius would gallop into the venue at Shinkansen speed to apply the finishing touch. As Celtic were processing this crushing blow, Madrid brought another. Modric, growing in influence, received the ball from Hazard after Giakoumakis collided with Cameron Carter-Vickers. Moritz Jenz got a finger on the ball but fell beautifully for Modric for the second time, slotting the ball past Joe Hart with a clearance that would put most players to shame. And here’s the thing about Carlo Ancelotti’s side: even when you think you’ve got them tamed, stuck back, under control, he can stare at you like a spitting cobra. All Postecoglou could do was inject some fresh blood, but as Aaron Mooy and Kyogo Furuhashi stepped onto the scene, Ancelotti simply threw on Eduardo Camavinga, Marco Asensio and Rodrygo in a display of imperial power. Hazard hit a crazy third after a rudimentary passing move and for a while the stands that had earlier been shaking with noise calmed down. But there was enough vigor and promise here to suggest Celtic won’t be quiet for long.
