Celtic 2-2 Atletico Madrid: Alvaro Morata rescues point for 10-man Atleti at raucous Celtic Park
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Updated 26/10/2023 at 07:41 GMT
Alvaro Morata and Antoine Griezmann were both on target for Atletico Madrid but Diego Simeone’s side could only take a point from a boisterous Celtic Park as Celtic secured a 2-2 draw that could have been more. It was a much needed performance from Brendan Rodgers’ side. Atletico were reduced to ten men in the second-half when Rodrigo De Paul was shown a straight red.
Alvaro Morata of Atletico Madrid celebrates after scoring the team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and Atletico Madrid at Celtic Park Stadium on October 25, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland.
Image credit: Getty Images
Celtic produced a stunning performance to push ten-man Atletico Madrid all the way in a pulsating 2-2 draw in the UEFA Champions League at Celtic Park.
The home side took the lead after just three minutes through the brilliant Kyogo Furuhashi, and played some scintillating and intense football throughout the opening period.
Atletico Madrid pulled one back from the spot midway through the first half after Greg Taylor was adjudged to have made a foul in the box, with Antoine Griezmann converting from the spot.
But the inspired home side went back in-front just moments later, when Luis Palma hammered in from a tight angle to send the home fans delirious.
Celtic had been the better side for the first half, but Atletico got the game under control in the second period, and it was little surprise when they drew level once again, this time through an excellent Alvaro Morata header.
The Spanish visitors looked the most likely to win it right up until Rodrigo de Paul’s second yellow and sending off on 82 minutes – a decision that infuriated the Atleti players and management.
But a tiring Celtic were unable to find the winner against their 10-man opponents, as their six-year wait for a win in the Champions League continued.
Talking Point – Celtic rue what might have been
The first-half performance from Celtic was so intense it threatened to blow Atletico away at times.
Two goals was the least that Brendan Rodgers’ side deserved for their brilliance, but a one goal lead was always a risk, and as Celtic tired they almost ended the night with nothing to show for their efforts.
The first point of the group stage means that Celtic’s campaign remains alive, but three points could have been transformative going into their remaining three matches.
Player Of The Match – Matt O’Riley
The young central midfielder was absolutely sensational, controlling the game against an Atletico team packed full of midfield talent.
Player Ratings
Celtic: Hart 7; Johnston 6, Carter-Vickers 8, Scales 8, Taylor 5; O'Riley 9, McGregor 8, Hatate 6; Maeda 7, Furuhashi 8, Palma 8. Subs: Bernardo 7, Phillips 6, Forrest 6.
Atletico: Oblak 7; Molina 5, Hermoso 6, Witsel 5, Savic 5, Galan 5; Saul 6, Koke 6, De Paul 5; Griezmann 7, Morata 7. Subs: Riquelme 7, Llorente 8, Correa 6
Match Highlights
3’ – GOAL!
What a start for Celtic! Kyogo Furuhashi lays the ball off and makes a brilliant run into the box, receiving the one-two and slotting into the far bottom corner. 1-0! And the crowd goes crazy!
23’ – PENALTY!
The referee points to the spot as Taylor lunges into a challenge in the box. It looks harsh on first viewing, but replays show there was contact there and Atletico have a huge chance to get back into it.
25’ – GOAL!
So unlucky for Joe Hart, who produces a brilliant save to tip Griezmann’s shot onto the post, only for the ball to skim straight back to the feet of the Frenchman to role into an empty net. 1-1.
28’ – GOAL!
Stunning again from Celtic! Maeda gets in down the left and fires a ball right across the face of goal. The chance seems to have gone. But Palma picks it up on the far side, takes a touch, and absolutely rockets a shot into the far corner. Brilliant. 2-1!
53’ – GOAL!
A sensational finish from Alvaro Morata and it’s 2-2 at Celtic Park. A deep cross picks out the run of the striker, and he angles a clever header up into the far top corner.
82’ – RED CARD
De Paul was just about to be taken off when he slides in for a risky challenge. The referee brandishes a second yellow and he’s off… well he should be, but he’s so upset with the decision he takes almost a minute to leave the field as he protests.
Key Stat
Celtic’s wait for a first Champions League home win since 2013 continues.
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