UEFA Champions League

Group E, Matchday Four

Tuesday, November 7, 2023

Civitas Metropolitan Stadium, Madrid

ATLETICO MADRID… 6

(Griezmann 6 & 59, Morata 45+2 & 75, Lino 65, Saul 84

CELTIC… 0

Celtic endured the toughest of European nights as they lost 6-0 to Atletico Madrid on matchday four of the UEFA Champions League group stage.

The Hoops played much of the match with 10 men after Daizen Maeda was controversially sent off following a VAR review, and the Spanish side made full use of the numerical advantage to take all three points.

Brendan Rodgers’ side had started the brightly, looking to keep possession and press forward to test the Atletico Madrid defence, but the home side gained an early boost when Antoine Griezmann fired them into a sixth-minute lead.

A cross into the Celtic boss was headed out, only as far as the Frenchman on the edge of the area, and his low shot looked to take a slight deflection on its way into the net.

Celtic’s first chance came five minutes later when Luis Palma cut in from the left and shot from 25 yards out, but it was a comfortable save for the Atletico keeper.

The Spanish side looked dangerous on the break, and Nahuel Molina drove forward from his own half before carving out an opening for a shot inside the area which Callum McGregor did well to block.

Things got even tougher for Brendan Rodgers’ side on 22 minutes when Daizen Maeda was sent off. The referee initially booked the Celtic winger for the challenge on Mario Hermoso, but following a VAR review, the yellow card became a red one and the Hoops were down to 10 men.

Five minutes later, Celtic almost grabbed an equaliser when Luis Palma’s corner was deflected goalwards, but Jan Oblak in the Atletico goal palmed the ball away.

However, it was a rare glimpse of goal for the Hoops, who were on the defensive for much of the half as Atletico Madrid sought to capitalise on their numerical advantage.

With five minutes remaining, they did have the ball in the net through Alvaro Morata, but it was ruled out for offside.

Joe Hart produced several good saves to keep the home side at bay but there was nothing he could do in the second minute of added time when Morata fired the ball home from close-range after it was headed back across the six-yard box by Marco Moreno.

Tough Euro night for Celtic as they lose to Atletico Madrid