CELTIC HAD ALREADY assured themselves of progression to the knock-out stages of the Europa League but their Group D campaign ended in disappointing fashion as they lost 4-3 to Dinamo Zagreb this evening.
With Ronny Deila’s side unable to catch runaway leaders Red Bull Salzburg, nothing but pride was on the line in Croatia and a free-scoring encounter ensued.
The Hoops rested several first-team regulars for the trip and they fell behind on 14 minutes after Marko Pjaca turned inside Adam Matthews and fired past Craig Gordon.
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Kris Commons and then Stefan Scepovic scored in quick succession to turn the game around but Pjaca struck before the break to level proceedings.
Zagreb had won just one of their previous five group games but restored their advantage through Marcelo Brozovic before Pjaca completed his hat-trick a minute later.
With both defences far from convincing, Celtic cut the deficit when Emilio Izaguirre’s cross was deflected into his own net by Josip Pivaric. The Bhoys sensed an equaliser in the closing minutes but the hosts held firm despite Van Dijk heading against the bar.
Elsewhere, Tottenham missed the opportunity to finish top of Group C as Besiktas pipped them to the post with a 1-0 win in Turkey.
Roberto Soldado and Nacer Chadli grapple for possession AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
The match was delayed twice due to floodlight failure – once in the first-half and then in stoppage time – as Spurs’ 18-game unbeaten streak in the Europa League was ended.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side were guilty of squandering several chances before the interval and were made to pay as Cenk Tosun’s strike just before the hour mark was enough to separate the sides and determine the final standings in the group.
Tottenham now go into Monday’s draw as runners-up, alongside Celtic, and face the possibility of being paired with one of the Europa League group winners or a seeded Champions League side, including Roma and Athletic Bilbao, in the next round. They cannot, however, be drawn with Liverpool.
Celtic edged out in seven goal thriller as Tottenham surrender top spot after limp defeat
CELTIC HAD ALREADY assured themselves of progression to the knock-out stages of the Europa League but their Group D campaign ended in disappointing fashion as they lost 4-3 to Dinamo Zagreb this evening.
With Ronny Deila’s side unable to catch runaway leaders Red Bull Salzburg, nothing but pride was on the line in Croatia and a free-scoring encounter ensued.
The Hoops rested several first-team regulars for the trip and they fell behind on 14 minutes after Marko Pjaca turned inside Adam Matthews and fired past Craig Gordon.
Kris Commons and then Stefan Scepovic scored in quick succession to turn the game around but Pjaca struck before the break to level proceedings.
Zagreb had won just one of their previous five group games but restored their advantage through Marcelo Brozovic before Pjaca completed his hat-trick a minute later.
With both defences far from convincing, Celtic cut the deficit when Emilio Izaguirre’s cross was deflected into his own net by Josip Pivaric. The Bhoys sensed an equaliser in the closing minutes but the hosts held firm despite Van Dijk heading against the bar.
Elsewhere, Tottenham missed the opportunity to finish top of Group C as Besiktas pipped them to the post with a 1-0 win in Turkey.
The match was delayed twice due to floodlight failure – once in the first-half and then in stoppage time – as Spurs’ 18-game unbeaten streak in the Europa League was ended.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side were guilty of squandering several chances before the interval and were made to pay as Cenk Tosun’s strike just before the hour mark was enough to separate the sides and determine the final standings in the group.
Tottenham now go into Monday’s draw as runners-up, alongside Celtic, and face the possibility of being paired with one of the Europa League group winners or a seeded Champions League side, including Roma and Athletic Bilbao, in the next round. They cannot, however, be drawn with Liverpool.
Power ranking the 16 teams left in this season’s Champions League
The lights went out twice during the Besiktas-Tottenham game tonight
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UEFA Europa League Europa League Celtic Tottenham Hotspur