Celtic showed second-half fight but were ultimately outclassed away to Benfica as they were beaten 4-1 in the Europa League. Defensive mistakes from Celtic helped Marco Silva's hosts race into a three-goal lead by the break, with Jhon Duran at the double and Alexander Bah on the scoresheet.
Camilo Duran, who had made his own way to Portugal after staying in Scotland for the birth of his child, pulled one back for Martin O'Neill's side and hit a post as Celtic tried to set up a grandstand finish. But Vangelis Pavlidis wrapped up the scoring and a comprehensive win for Benfica, which leaves Celtic with two defeats from their first two games in the league phase. Celtic have also lost four of their last five in all competitions.
There may have been encouragement in some of their second-half attacking play, but alarm bells were ringing at the back. Nonetheless, Celtic boss O'Neill stayed positive afterwards, telling TNT Sports: "Overall, I'm really, really delighted with the second-half performance and it's a shame we conceded the three goals first of all."
In Lisbon, the city which hosted Celtic's greatest moment in the 1976 European Cup final, the visitors handed Benfica a head start when Dane Murray kicked the back of Jhon Duran's leg in a crowded box. The former Aston Villa striker was cool with his panenka penalty. Sebastian Tounekti then switched off for Bah to volley in, before Auston Trusty and Celtic keeper Vijami Sinisalo contrived to let Jhon Duran score from an apparently impossible position. Celtic were desperately unlucky not to pull one back earlier, with Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran both hitting the woodwork. Fine margins, but the difference between the sides was far greater.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing