Celtic lost 4-1 to Benfica, conceding three goals in the first half

Celtic faced a challenging match against Benfica in the Europa League, ultimately losing 4-1 in Lisbon. The home side capitalised on defensive errors from Celtic, establishing a commanding three-goal lead by half-time. Jhon Duran scored twice, while Alexander Bah added another goal, leaving Celtic struggling to recover from their early setbacks. Despite a spirited second-half performance, the damage had been done, and Celtic found themselves with two defeats in their opening league phase matches.

Camilo Duran, who recently welcomed the birth of his child, managed to score for Celtic, providing a glimmer of hope as he headed in a cross from substitute Haissem Hassan. Duran also came close to scoring again, hitting the post with a powerful strike. However, Benfica's Vangelis Pavlidis sealed the match with a late goal, ensuring a comprehensive victory for the home side and leaving Celtic with four losses in their last five matches across all competitions.

Celtic's defensive frailties were evident throughout the match, particularly in the first half. A penalty was awarded to Benfica after Dane Murray fouled Jhon Duran in the box, allowing the Colombian striker to score with a panenka. Following this, a lapse in concentration from Sebastian Tounekti allowed Bah to volley in the second goal, and Duran capitalised on a defensive mix-up to score the third, putting Celtic on the back foot early on.

Despite the heavy defeat, Celtic manager Martin O'Neill expressed optimism about his team's second-half display, praising their attacking intent and resilience. He noted that the team created numerous chances and could have scored more goals. Captain Callum McGregor echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the disappointing result but highlighting the potential for improvement based on their second-half performance. O'Neill remains hopeful about qualification despite the challenges ahead.

Celtic's performance in Lisbon showcased both their vulnerabilities and their ability to fight back. As they prepare for their next fixtures, the team will need to address their defensive issues while building on the positives from their attacking play. The result leaves them with a tough road ahead in the Europa League, but O'Neill's focus on the second half offers a foundation for future matches.

via Sky Sports