Champions League round-up: 'Magnificent' away win for Celtic against Spartak Moscow
Wednesday 03 October 2012
Related articles
Neil Lennon described himself as "probably the proudest man in Europe" after Celtic's historic 3-2 Champions League victory over Spartak Moscow in the Luzhniki Stadium last night.
Georgios Samaras's last-minute header gave Celtic their first win away from home in the group stages of European football's elite club competition and it was a deserved victory for Lennon's side.
Gary Hooper gave the visitors the lead in the 12th minute before Emmanuel Emenike netted twice for the Russian club, once either side of the break. Spartak defender Juan Insaurralde was sent off just after the hour mark for preventing Hooper going clean through on goal before Celtic levelled after a drive from substitute James Forrest deflected in off Spartak captain Dmitri Kombarov. Celtic, though, refused to settle for the point and Samaras headed in an Emilio Izaguirre cross.
"I am probably the proudest man in Europe tonight," said Lennon. "I cannot speak highly enough of the players, they were magnificent. They played magnificent football at a very tough venue against an excellent side.
"I have to say I thought Gary Hooper was world class tonight. People keep asking me about him playing for England, well I think he showed how good he is tonight."
In the other game in Celtic's group, Barcelona won 2-0 at the Stadium of Light, Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fabregas scoring to see off Benfica but Sergio Busquets was sent off late on and Carles Puyol went off with what looked to be a dislocated elbow .
Juventus could not build on their fine draw at Chelsea as they were held 1-1 at home by Shakhtar Donetsk. In Manchester United's group, Braga picked up their first points with a 2-0 win at Galatasary. Bayern Munich were shocked 3-1 by BATE Borisov.
Latest in Sport
Sport blogs
New day (slowly) rising – As Brasileirão gets underway, Brazilian football stumbles, rather than leaps into the future
The average Serie A crowd last year was 13,000 - comparable to Australia’s A-League.
by James Young
24 May 2013 04:31 PM
iBet: Mercedes and Hamilton to roar in Monaco
Monaco is a street circuit where driver ability is more important than anywhere else and if we take ...
by Gareth Purnell
24 May 2013 02:00 AM
On The Road at the Giro d’Italia: It sounds sadistic, but the team live for the mountain stages
Three weeks ago as I drove off the Eurostar, I remember thinking what a very long time it was until ...
by Martin Ayres
23 May 2013 05:29 PM
-
Why Manchester City were willing to fork out $500m on stake in MLS
-
Champions League final: Biggest German invasion since the fifth century as Borussia Dortmund face Bayern Munich
-
Borussia Dortmund v Bayern Munich: 50 things you should know about the Champions League final
-
Champions League final preview: Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund
-
Champions League Final: Can Jürgen Klopp and Borussia Dortmund stop the Bayern Munich machine?
Get your summer started with British Military Fitness
BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes
Visit York
Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world
Making reading fun for kids
Nook is donating eReaders to volunteers at high-need schools and participating in exclusive events throughout the campaign.
Introducing the 'Get Reading' campaign
Get the latest on The Evening Standard's campaign to get London's children reading.
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
Johnny Marr talks relationships and reunions
In pictures: After the flood
Death becomes her: A very modern mortician
School of chop: Learning the art of butchery
The man who's eaten everywhere
A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?



Comments