Eden Hazard scores for first time since January as Real Madrid make Celtic pay for missing early chances

Real Madrid have got their Champions League title defence off to the perfect start, beating Celtic 3-0 at Parkhead. Before the match Ange Postecoglou, the Celtic manager, made it clear that he had no intention of abandoning his attacking principles in an effort to contain Real, calling on his players to test themselves against the title holders. The Hoops rose to the challenge, flying out of the blocks and putting their opponents under pressure straight from kick off.

Ad With barely a minute on the clock Giorgos Giakoumakis teed up Liel Abada, whose low drive was deflected just wide by Eder Militao. Celtic unsettled their opponents with aggressive pressing from the front, with Giakoumakis, Abada and Jota forcing a string of mistakes while Reo Hatate set the tempo further back. Football‘It seems like Real Madrid is my home’ – Mbappe hints once again at move to Spain10 HOURS AGO Abada had another big opportunity early on when he was played in by a hooked pass from Jota, but he could only fire straight at Thibaut Courtois.

He gave Courtois a scare with an effort which trickled past the near post not long afterwards, though it looked like he may have intended it as a cross. Giakoumakis fought a running battle with Militao, making the Real defender look extremely uncomfortable. Having forced his opponent to concede a throw-in high up the field which Celtic managed to convert into a corner, he laid the groundwork for an excellent chance when Hatate thrashed a fierce drive on target on the follow-up and forced Courtois to palm the ball away.