Celtic took on Real Madrid in Glasgow on Tuesday night, in one of the most hotly anticipated games of round one of the Champions League.
The 1967 champions hosted the most recent (and 14-time) winners in a mouthwatering return to European Cup football for the Bhoys.
It was a special night in Celtic Park, even though Celtic's challenge faltered in the second half in what ultimately turned out to be a 3-0 defeat.
Celtic v Real Madrid: Paradise on fire for massive Champions League clash
When the draw for the Champions League group stages was made, Celtic fans were looking forward to one game more than any other: Real Madrid at Parkhead.
The visit of the reigning European champions was always set to be a special one, and the Celtic fans ensured an electric atmosphere for the arrival of Real to Glasgow.
The pre-match rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' at Celtic Park was a spine-tingling affair.
Celtic Park is ROCKING#CELRMA #UCL pic.twitter.com/PHCQyn7wTU
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) September 6, 2022
The Champions League anthem was also met with a massive reception, as the competition returned to Celtic Park for the first time since 2018.
The roar at Celtic Park when the Champions League anthem hits >pic.twitter.com/NvVXmXHpmm
— Jack Kenmare (@jackkenmare_) September 6, 2022
When the game got going, Celtic nearly took the roof off the stadium, as they flew at Real Madrid in the opening stages. Ray Houghton, on commentary duties for RTÉ, noted that it was one of the best atmospheres he had ever experienced in a stadium, and the noise didn't let up.
READ HERE: Kerry Footballers Meet Celtic Boss After Old Firm Victory
The Spanish and European champions might have been taken aback by the start from Celtic, who nearly took the lead through a piledriver from Callum McGregor. You got the sense that Celtic Park may actually have exploded if the shot from McGregor had found the net but, sadly for the raucous crowd, that was as good as it would get for the Hoops.
Celtic 0-0 Real Madrid
Callum McGregor so close to the opening goal for the hosts, who have made a fine start
📺 Watch live - https://t.co/aR8cFzAlWf
📱 Updates - https://t.co/XEGmtjJHVy#ChampionsLeague #CelticRealMadrid #UCL pic.twitter.com/7NEIfgBaUY— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) September 6, 2022
After a golden opportunity went awry for Celtic's Maeda early in the second half, Real Madrid showed why they are defending champions of Europe.
READ HERE: Remembering Dida's Ridiculous Antics At Celtic Park In 2007
Some brilliance from Federico Valverde and Luka Modric in particular was crucial for Real, and goals from Modric, Vinicius Jr, and the oft-AWOL Eden Hazard sealed a 3-0 win.
Celtic 0-1 Real Madrid
The visitors move it from one end of the pitch to the other and Vinicius applies the finishing touch
📺 Watch live - https://t.co/aR8cFzAlWf
📱 Updates - https://t.co/XEGmtjJHVy#ChampionsLeague #CelticRealMadrid #UCL pic.twitter.com/83aR6j64Ux— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) September 6, 2022
Celtic 0-2 Real Madrid
Disaster for Celtic as Modric makes it two within four minutes
📺 Watch live - https://t.co/aR8cFzAlWf
📱 Updates - https://t.co/XEGmtjJHVy#ChampionsLeague #CelticRealMadrid #UCL pic.twitter.com/rY38Nt3ni0— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) September 6, 2022
Celtic 0-3 Real Madrid
Eden Hazard puts the icing on the cake for the visitors with just his seventh Real goal
📺 Watch live - https://t.co/aR8cFzAlWf
📱 Updates - https://t.co/XEGmtjJHVy#ChampionsLeague #CelticRealMadrid #UCL pic.twitter.com/iynD3RJm8o— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) September 6, 2022
The win at Celtic Park is the perfect start to the Champions League campaign for Real Madrid - although it came with quite a major asterisk, as last year's star man Karim Benzema was forced off through a knee injury early in the first half.
Real Madrid will hope the Frenchman's injuries are not too severe.
Celtic's mood will not have been helped by the fact that their major rivals in the group, Shakhtar Donetsk, took an unexpected 4-1 win at RB Leipzig to start their group off in the perfect manner. The performance in the first half against Real Madrid will have encouraged Celtic, however, and they will hope they can show similar form in next week's visit to Shakhtar Donetsk.
Celtic will need their fans to be just as vocal as they were for Real Madrid's visit for the games against Shakhtar and Leipzig, if they are to hope to progress to the knockout stages.
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