Defending champions Real Madrid have closed the group stage of the Champions League as the winner of group F. On the final day of play, it simply took the victory against the Scottish champions Celtic. Thibaut Courtois distinguished himself with several saves, once on a penalty kick.
Penalty kicks galore
The spectators in Madrid were shown a penalty festival. The ball went on the dot three times in the first half.
Real were allowed to kick twice after hands with Celtic. Modric converted the first, becoming the oldest player to convert a penalty in the Champions League at 37.
Rodrygo (21) is a lot younger, but he also knows how to beat Celtic goalie Joe Hart: 2-0.
Then Thibaut Courtois claimed the leading role. First he defused a rocket from Hatate, then he distinguished himself on a penalty.
Juranovic scored 5 times in a row from 11 meters. Courtois put an end to that series.
Penalties will soon become his specialty. At Real, Courtois now takes 1 on 2 penalties.
After the break, Real expanded the score. For a change with regular goals: Asensio with a low shot, Vinicius with an inside tap and Valverde with an impact ball.
The Portuguese Jota saved the honor for Celtic. He knocked Courtois into the hook with a free kick: 5-1.
Thanks to the win, Real Madrid closes the group as the winner. Will Club Brugge be the opponent in the 1/8th finals on Monday?
second half, minute 91 match over
Marco Asensio (Real Madrid) hits the target, but his shot goes wide. second half, minute 89.
Marco Asensio (Real Madrid) hits the target, but his shot goes wide.
The ball goes over the back line in a corner kick. That is taken by Marco Asensio (Real Madrid), but his cross is too short and is eliminated. second half, minute 88.
The ball goes over the back line in a corner kick. That is taken by Marco Asensio (Real Madrid), but his cross is too short and is eliminated.
Carl Starfelt (Celtic) lends his goalkeeper a hand and wipes the ball off the line. second half, minute 88.
Carl Starfelt (Celtic) lends his goalkeeper a hand and wipes the ball off the line.
Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) pulls out… second half, minute 88.
Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) takes out…
The attempt is saved by Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), who does not give away a rebound. second half, minute 88.
The attempt is saved by Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), who does not give away a rebound.
Jota (Celtic) pulls out… second half, minute 88.
Jota (Celtic) pulls out…
Matt O’Riley (Celtic) can dock, but his shot is blocked. second half, minute 85.
Matt O’Riley (Celtic) can dock, but his shot is blocked.
Celtic punished the mistake mercilessly: Jota shows his great kick technique and shoots the free kick into the goal. second half, minute 84.
Celtic punished the mistake mercilessly: Jota shows his great kick technique and shoots the free kick into the goal.
Goal after free kick in second half, minute 84 by Jota of Celtic. 5, 1.
Real Madrid Celtic end
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Lucas Vázquez (Real Madrid) is whistled back by the referee. He went too far into Jota (Celtic). second half, minute 83.
Lucas Vázquez (Real Madrid) is whistled back by the referee. He went too far into Jota (Celtic).
second half, minute 82. Substitution at Celtic, Oliver Abildgaard in, Reo Hatate out
Dani Ceballos (Real Madrid) is whistled back by the referee. He went too far in on Sead Haksabanovic (Celtic). second half, minute 82.
Dani Ceballos (Real Madrid) is whistled back by the referee. He went too far in on Sead Haksabanovic (Celtic).
The attempt is saved by Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid). The keeper went flat and was able to clamp the ball. second half, minute 80.
The attempt is saved by Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid). The keeper went flat and was able to clamp the ball.
Jota (Celtic) pulls out… second half, minute 80.
Jota (Celtic) pulls out…
Jota takes the corner for Celtic. He drops the ball centrally in front of the goal. second half, minute 78.
Jota takes the corner for Celtic. He drops the ball centrally in front of the goal.
At Real Madrid, the corner is taken by Dani Ceballos. His cross goes to the first post. second half, minute 76.
At Real Madrid, the corner is taken by Dani Ceballos. His cross goes to the first post.
The ball goes over the back line in a corner kick. That is taken by Federico Valverde (Real Madrid), but his cross is too short and is eliminated. second half, minute 76.
The ball goes over the back line in a corner kick. That is taken by Federico Valverde (Real Madrid), but his cross is too short and is eliminated.
Sead Haksabanovic takes the corner for Celtic. He drops the ball centrally in front of the goal. second half, minute 75.
Sead Haksabanovic takes the corner for Celtic. He drops the ball centrally in front of the goal.
The attempt is saved by Joe Hart (Celtic), who does not give away a rebound. second half, minute 74.
The attempt is saved by Joe Hart (Celtic), who does not give away a rebound.
