Celtic inflict more Champions League pain on Leipzig

The visitors opened the scoring in the 23rd minute through Christoph Baumgartner, but Kuhn curled home a fine equaliser for Celtic before netting again before half-time. Reo Hatate gave Celtic some breathing space as Brendan Rodgers' side moved onto seven points after four games, boosting their hopes of reaching the knock-out phase for the first time since 2013.

Leipzig, who suffered their first Bundesliga defeat of the season at Borussia Dortmund at the weekend, are one of six teams still yet to get off the mark in the Champions League this season. Leipzig struck first for the third time in the competition as Baumgartner stooped to nod home after Kevin Kampl's corner was inadvertently flicked on by Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Willi Orban almost doubled Leipzig's lead shortly afterwards, heading another dangerous set-piece narrowly wide. But Celtic hit back 10 minutes before half-time as Kuhn jinked inside and bent a wonderful strike in off the far post.

Kuhn almost turned creator a few minutes later, playing a magnificent through ball with the outside of his right boot to Daizen Maeda, but the Japanese forward could only blast over with just Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi to beat.

The German completed the first-half turnaround himself in the first minute of added time, firing home Greg Taylor's cutback after Maeda completely missed the ball with his attempted shot. Both sides went close early in the second half, with home 'keeper Kasper Schmeichel denying Benjamin Sesko an equaliser and Gulacsi keeping out Hatate's low strike.

But Hatate did give Celtic a two-goal cushion with 18 minutes remaining, turning the ball home after Gulacsi inexplicably spilled Alistair Johnston's tame cross. The Scottish champions passed up further opportunities to score late on, but were able to celebrate a crucial victory.

 

November 5, 2024