Celtic vs RB Leipzig LIVE: Champions League result, final score and reaction tonight
Celtic welcome RB Leipzig as they desperately search for their first Champions League win of the season
Celtic have entered the last chance saloon of the Champions League group stages and need to pick up three points tonight if they are to have any hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the competition. The Hoops have only collected one point from their first three matches following a draw with Shakhtar Donetsk and defeats to Real Madrid and RB Leipzig.
Ange Postecoglou’s side were humbled 3-1 in Germany last Wednesday after running out of steam in the second half against RB Leipzig despite an encouraging first 45 minutes. That display encapsulated the story of their Champions League campaign so far where they’ve competed with teams for almost an hour before letting the standards drop towards the end of the game.
The Scottish side will be given a boost by playing at home this evening and come into the match on the back of an injury time winner over St. Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership. Giorgos Giakoumakis scored in the 95th minute to give Celtic a 2-1 win and could be in line to start tonight after Jota was taken off the pitch at half-time on Saturday.
Follow all the action from Celtic Park after the conclusion of FC Copenhagen vs Manchester City:
Celtic’s hopes of Champions League progression end with RB Leipzig defeat
Celtic’s hopes of Champions League progression ended on Tuesday night after RB Leipzig hit two late goals at Parkhead.
Former Chelsea forward Timo Werner headed the opener in the 75th minute and Emil Forsberg sealed a 2-0 away win nine minutes later.
The defeat leaves Celtic bottom of Group F with one point from four matches and with no chance of making second place following Shakhtar Donetsk’s draw against Real Madrid in Warsaw.
The Scottish champions can still finish third but would need to beat Shakhtar and then get a result in the Bernabeu – and they would need to develop a far more clinical edge to do so.
They again had the better of the first-half chances but hit the frame of the goal twice and missed several good headed opportunities before the visitors stepped up their attacking threat.
Celtic’s hopes of Champions League progression end with RB Leipzig defeat
Former Chelsea forward Timo Werner headed the opener and Emil Forsberg sealed a 2-0 away win.
FT Celtic 0-2 RB Leipzig
Reaction from RB Leipzg goalscorer Timo Werner who said:
“I believe we had several stages where they were good and where we were good, but we were always present and in the end our win wasn’t undeserved.
“Scoring a goal in front of such a crowd is always good. The biggest part of this goal belongs to André, I only head to connect my head to the ball.
“We have had a difficult season so far, so every win is great. We had a lot to make up for in the Champions League after the two defeat at the beginning. If we don’t lose in Warsaw against Donetsk, we are well-placed for a second-placed finish.”
FT Celtic 0-2 RB Leipzig
Celtic’s captain on the night Cameron Carter-Vickers gave his post match reaction to BT Sport saying:
“Disappointing not to get a result. For large parts of the game we played quite well. It’s Champions League football, you’ve got to take your chances.
“This is high level football. For us we’ve just got to keep working hard. We’cve got two games left - we want two positive results.”
FT Celtic 0-2 RB Leipzig
That late goal for Real Madrid means Celtic can still catch Shakhtar Donetsk or RB Leipzig in Group F if they win their last two games and that would result in third place and a spot in the Europa League.
They cannot finish in the top two so they’re out of the running for the last 16 with two games still to play.
FT Celtic 0-2 RB Leipzig
Over in the other Group F game of the night Antonio Rudiger has scored a 95th minute equaliser for Real Madrid to earn them a 1-1 draw and keep the Spanish side top of the group!
Full-time: Celtic 0-2 RB Leipzig
90+3 mins: There goes the full-time whistle and Celtic have been defeated at home to RB Leipzig. The step up to the Champions League has been a step too for the Scottish champions.
They are still winless in Europe’s top competition this year. RB Leipzig left it late but two late goals is enough to give them the victory.
Celtic 0-2 RB Leipzig
90 mins: Three minutes of added time to play.
Celtic 0-2 RB Leipzig
87 mins: Just like in Germany RB Leipzig have come alive in the second half and taken the game to Celtic and just like in the last fixture they’ve scored late goals to sink the hopes of the Scottish side.
It’s frustrating to watch if you’re a Celtic fan but the team is still just short of Champions League quality.
GOAL! Celtic 0-2 RB Leipzig (Forsberg, 84’)⚽️
84 mins: It’s two and Celtic are heading out of the Champions League!
A simple ball comes over the top to Timo Werner who brings the ball down inside the box before holding it up and slipping it to substitute Emil Forsberg.
He’s swarmed by defenders but lets the ball roll across his body and poking a shot into the far bottom corner!
Celtic 0-1 RB Leipzig
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies