Celtic v Barcelona
Victor Wanyama celebrates putting Celtic in front against Barcelona
Celtic took a massive step towards the last 16 of the Champions League with an astonishing victory over Barcelona.
They took the lead when Victor Wanyama rose majestically to head past Victor Valdes from a corner on 21 minutes.
Barcelona pressed for an equaliser, but teenager Tony Watt came off the bench to give Celtic a cushion in the closing minutes.
Lionel Messi tapped home in injury time, but Celtic held on to inflict Barca's first defeat of the season.
It was a momentous victory for manager Neil Lennon, who was part of the team that knocked Barca out of the Uefa Cup in 2004, and his men - banishing memories of the injury-time defeat in Barcelona a fortnight ago.
And it leaves Celtic second behind the Catalans in Group G on seven points, three ahead of next opponents Benfica and four better off than Spartak Moscow, who visit Glasgow on the final matchday.
Celtic Park was rocking at a decibel level previously reserved for the most meaningful of Old Firm derbies, but predictably the unflappable maestros of Barcelona, twice champions of Europe in the last four years, paid the partisan crowd no heed as they quickly settled into their fluid passing game.
Euro highlights at Celtic Park
- 1969: European Cup second round Celtic 3 Benfica 0
- 1979: European Cup qtr-final Celtic 2-0 Real Madrid
- 2001: Champions League group stage Celtic 4-3 Juventus
- 2004: Uefa Cup second round Celtic 1-0 Barcelona
- 2006: Champions League group stage Celtic 1-0 Manchester Utd
- 2007: Champions League group stage Celtic 2-1 AC Milan
- 2012: Champions League group stage Celtic 2-1 Barcelona
It brought them the first opportunity of the game six minutes in, but Fraser Forster dealt easily with Xavi's shot despite a touch from Alexis Sanchez just in front of the keeper.
Messi blazed over the bar from a promising position moments later as the pattern of play was quickly established.
Alex Song picked up an early booking for pulling back Miku and a second late challenge on the same player almost cost him his place on the field after just 18 minutes.
Few inside Celtic Park had cause to debate that for long as the home side snatched the opening goal three minutes later.
The source, as in the game at Camp Nou, was a Charlie Mulgrew set-piece - this time a corner from the right.
His deep delivery was met forcefully by Wanyama, who outjumped Jordi Alba - the man whose late winner broke Celtic hearts two weeks ago - and headed high past Valdes to send the crowd into raptures.
The manner of the goal again highlighted an aerial vulnerability in the otherwise practically flawless Barcelona make-up.
They quickly resumed their relentless probing of the Celtic defence, almost finding an equaliser as Messi played a one-two with Andres Iniesta before rifling a shot off the top of the crossbar.
The frame of the goal came to Celtic's rescue again as Alexis got on the end of a Dani Alves cross only to see his header come back off the post.
Lennon (right) is enjoying his first crack at the Champions League group stage as a manager
And then Kelvin Wilson scrambled the ball off the line as an Alba cross caused hearts to flutter in the stands.
Nonetheless, unlike in the previous meeting, Celtic held onto their lead until half-time and it was fully 11 minutes into the second period before Forster was meaningfully called into action, diving to his right to stop a curling Messi effort.
Celtic, who last featured in the group phase in 2008, made Valdes work from another corner, though Mikael Lustig's header lacked the power to really test him.
Forster, sublime in Camp Nou, reproduced that form on the hour mark as he got down quickly to push away Alexis's well-struck shot from 10 yards and the keeper was promptly back to his feet to deny the Chilean on the rebound as well.
Marc Bartra almost gifted Celtic a second goal, waiting on Valdes to come and deal with a cross ball. When the keeper chose to stay on his line, Mulgrew looked poised to volley past him, but Bartra recovered to block the shot.
The Celtic fans bayed for a red card for Song midway through the half for another foul on Miku, but the referee again let him off.
Forster pulled off another outstanding stop to scoop yet another Messi shot up and away and the Argentine also saw a free kick comfortably held with eight minutes remaining.
The keeper dispatched the ball upfield, Xavi failed to cut it out and Watt showed composure beyond his years to bury it past Valdes.
Celtic fans were whistling at deafening levels for referee Bjorn Kuipers to end the game, perhaps mindful of losing a 2-0 lead in the final few minutes at Dundee United on Sunday.
And Messi ensured a nervy final few minutes as he scored at the start of injury time, following up after Forster had saved superbly again, but Tito Vilanova's side could not find another goal and Celtic and their supporters were left to celebrate long into the night.
Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (5)
Celtic
- 01 Forster
- 02 Matthews
- 04 Ambrose
- 06 Wilson
- 21 Mulgrew
- 23 Lustig (Watt - 72' )
- 15 Commons
- 16 Ledley
- 67 Wanyama
- 07 Miku Booked
- 09 Samaras (Kayal - 79' )
Substitutes
- 24 Zaluska
- 44 Fraser
- 20 McCourt
- 31 Herron
- 33 Kayal
- 46 McGeouch
- 32 Watt
Barcelona
- 01 Valdes
- 02 Alves
- 15 Bartra (Pique - 71' )
- 18 Alba Booked
- 06 Xavi
- 08 Iniesta
- 10 Messi
- 14 Mascherano
- 25 Song Booked (Fabregas - 71' )
- 09 Sanchez (Villa - 67' )
- 17 Pedro
Substitutes
- 13 Pinto
- 03 Pique
- 19 Montoya
- 04 Fabregas
- 12 Jonathan
- 07 Villa
- 37 Cristian Tello
Live Text Commentary
Full Time The referee signals the end of the game.
90:00 +2:41Centre by Lionel Messi, clearance by Charlie Mulgrew.
90:00 +2:25The ball is delivered by da Silva Dani Alves, clearance by Efe Ambrose.
90:00 +1:57Kris Commons concedes a free kick for a foul on Andres Iniesta. Andres Iniesta takes the direct free kick.
90:00 +1:18Javier Mascherano concedes a free kick for a foul on Tony Watt. Nicolas Fedor Miku takes the free kick.
90:00 +0:37Assist on the goal came from Rodriguez Pedro.
90:00 +0:37 Goal scoredGoal - Lionel Messi - Celtic 2 - 1 Barcelona A goal is scored by Lionel Messi from close in high into the middle of the goal. Celtic 2-1 Barcelona.
90:00 +0:23Rodriguez Pedro takes a shot. Save by Fraser Forster.
88:59Effort from inside the area by David Villa misses to the left of the target.
87:46Andres Iniesta takes a shot. Save made by Fraser Forster.
87:33Corner taken short by Lionel Messi.
87:20Lionel Messi crosses the ball, Charlie Mulgrew manages to make a clearance.
84:18The ball is delivered by Hernandez Xavi, Rodriguez Pedro takes a shot. Kelvin Wilson gets a block in.
84:41David Villa produces a right-footed shot from just outside the area that goes harmlessly over the bar.
84:41Shot from just outside the area by David Villa goes over the bar.
84:18Hernandez Xavi delivers the ball.
82:40The assist for the goal came from Fraser Forster.
82:40 Goal scoredGoal - Tony Watt - Celtic 2 - 0 Barcelona Goal scored by Tony Watt from inside the penalty box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Celtic 2-0 Barcelona.
81:29Free kick awarded for a foul by Efe Ambrose on Andres Iniesta. Shot on goal comes in from Lionel Messi from the free kick, save by Fraser Forster.
80:41Ramos Jordi Alba takes a shot. Blocked by Efe Ambrose.
Substitution Beram Kayal is brought on as a substitute for Georgios Samaras.
78:18Effort on goal by David Villa from just outside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the target.
78:05Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Hernandez Xavi.
77:55Ramos Jordi Alba takes a shot. Kris Commons gets a block in.
77:47Da Silva Dani Alves sends in a cross, clearance by Adam Matthews.
77:38A cross is delivered by da Silva Dani Alves, Georgios Samaras gets a block in.
76:29Effort from just outside the area by Andres Iniesta goes over the target.
75:18Da Silva Dani Alves challenges Georgios Samaras unfairly and gives away a free kick. Fraser Forster restarts play with the free kick.
75:05Francesc Fabregas sends in a cross, Victor Wanyama manages to make a clearance.
74:33The ball is delivered by Ramos Jordi Alba, blocked by Adam Matthews.
71:09 SubstitutionSubstitution Tony Watt replaces Mikael Lustig.
70:31 SubstitutionSubstitution Francesc Fabregas comes on in place of Alex Song.
70:21 SubstitutionSubstitution Gerard Pique replaces Marc Bartra.
69:45Lionel Messi takes a shot. Save made by Fraser Forster.
68:53Corner taken short by David Villa.
68:06Foul by Georgios Samaras on Javier Mascherano, free kick awarded. Marc Bartra takes the direct free kick.
67:18Alex Song challenges Nicolas Fedor Miku unfairly and gives away a free kick. Fraser Forster takes the free kick.
66:42 SubstitutionSubstitution (Barcelona) makes a substitution, with David Villa coming on for Alexis Sanchez.
65:13Free kick taken by Efe Ambrose.
65:13 BookingBooking Ramos Jordi Alba is cautioned by the ref for unsporting behaviour.
64:55Unfair challenge on Mikael Lustig by Ramos Jordi Alba results in a free kick.
63:59Victor Wanyama produces a cross.
62:51Alexis Sanchez gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Mikael Lustig. Efe Ambrose takes the free kick.
61:31The assistant referee flags for offside against Victor Wanyama. Free kick taken by Javier Mascherano.
60:16Da Silva Dani Alves produces a cross.
59:46Alexis Sanchez takes a shot. Save made by Fraser Forster.
58:02The referee blows for offside against Nicolas Fedor Miku. Free kick taken by da Silva Dani Alves.
57:04The ball is delivered by Charlie Mulgrew, Mikael Lustig takes a shot. Save by Victor Valdes.
56:31Corner taken by Kris Commons.
56:17Charlie Mulgrew sends in a cross, da Silva Dani Alves gets a block in.
56:17The ball is delivered by Charlie Mulgrew, Ramos Jordi Alba gets a block in.
56:03A cross is delivered by Charlie Mulgrew, clearance made by Javier Mascherano.
55:34Lionel Messi has an effort at goal from 20 yards. Save by Fraser Forster.
54:26Da Silva Dani Alves sends in a cross.
52:50Corner taken by Hernandez Xavi, Marc Bartra takes a shot. Save made by Fraser Forster.
52:28Lionel Messi decides to take the corner short.
52:20Hernandez Xavi delivers the ball, clearance made by Efe Ambrose.
52:05Hernandez Xavi crosses the ball, blocked by Kris Commons.
51:45Hernandez Xavi decides to take a short corner.
50:23The ball is delivered by da Silva Dani Alves, Rodriguez Pedro has a headed effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the right of the target.
48:52Centre by da Silva Dani Alves.
45:01The match restarts for the second half.
45:00 +0:22 Half timeHalf Time The ref blows to end the first period.
42:57Georgios Samaras concedes a free kick for a foul on Marc Bartra. Free kick taken by Marc Bartra.
42:41Andres Iniesta takes a shot. Kris Commons gets a block in.
40:33Ramos Jordi Alba takes the free kick.
40:33 BookingBooking The referee shows Nicolas Fedor Miku a yellow card.
40:24Nicolas Fedor Miku challenges Andres Iniesta unfairly and gives away a free kick.
40:11The ball is swung over by Ramos Jordi Alba, save by Fraser Forster.
38:32The ball is sent over by da Silva Dani Alves, Kris Commons manages to make a clearance.
37:41Foul by Kelvin Wilson on Rodriguez Pedro, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Hernandez Xavi.
36:08Da Silva Dani Alves delivers the ball, Alexis Sanchez has a headed effort at goal from close in that strikes the post.
35:52Kelvin Wilson concedes a free kick for a foul on Alexis Sanchez. Free kick taken by Alexis Sanchez.
35:24The ball is delivered by da Silva Dani Alves, clearance made by Kelvin Wilson.
33:41Ramos Jordi Alba produces a cross, Adam Matthews manages to make a clearance.
32:53Hernandez Xavi produces a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty area that goes harmlessly over the target.
30:16The ball is swung over by Ramos Jordi Alba, clearance by Joe Ledley.
28:30Lionel Messi takes a shot.
28:06A cross is delivered by Ramos Jordi Alba.
26:33Adam Matthews sends in a cross, save by Victor Valdes.
25:49Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Hernandez Xavi from the left by-line.
25:36Da Silva Dani Alves takes a shot. Charlie Mulgrew gets a block in.
24:59Andres Iniesta takes a shot. Blocked by Kelvin Wilson.
20:35Charlie Mulgrew provided the assist for the goal.
20:35 Goal scoredGoal - Victor Wanyama - Celtic 1 - 0 Barcelona Victor Wanyama finds the back of the net with a headed goal from close range. Celtic 1-0 Barcelona.
20:02Corner taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew from the right by-line,
19:52Efe Ambrose crosses the ball, Alexis Sanchez gets a block in.
17:54Alex Song challenges Nicolas Fedor Miku unfairly and gives away a free kick. Efe Ambrose takes the direct free kick.
17:54Unfair challenge on Nicolas Fedor Miku by Alex Song results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Victor Wanyama.
17:26Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Kris Commons by Ramos Jordi Alba. Fraser Forster takes the direct free kick.
13:18Georgios Samaras is caught offside. Victor Valdes restarts play with the free kick.
12:03Direct free kick taken by Mikael Lustig.
12:03 BookingBooking Alex Song goes into the book.
11:57Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Nicolas Fedor Miku by Alex Song.
11:07Georgios Samaras is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Javier Mascherano.
9:57Kris Commons challenges Alex Song unfairly and gives away a free kick. Alex Song takes the free kick.
7:37Shot from deep inside the area by Lionel Messi clears the bar.
6:21Alexis Sanchez takes a shot. Save by Fraser Forster.
6:01Hernandez Xavi takes a shot.
5:50A cross is delivered by Rodriguez Pedro, clearance made by Adam Matthews.
5:31Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Andres Iniesta by Kris Commons. Hernandez Xavi restarts play with the free kick.
4:45Charlie Mulgrew produces a cross, Alex Song makes a clearance.
4:05Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Georgios Samaras by Javier Mascherano. Charlie Mulgrew takes the free kick.
0:00The match begins.
Live text and data provided by The Press Association
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Comment number 111.
RichardCrimp1 Minute Ago
@103
You are correct - "They're capable of going all the way."
There have been numerous teams that weren't considered 'one of the best teams in Europe' that have gone on to win the CL. We (CFC) did it last year, and defended like Euro Champions, had a fair slice of luck and voila!
Enjoy tonight and I seriously hope Celtic qualify for the KO stages,as once you're there, anything can happen.
Link to this (Comment number 111)
Comment number 110.
Sportsfan874 Minutes ago
Just to point out to the BBC, moot point i agree but Barca had more than 66% possession over 90mins, much more.
Still minor point aside, get in the Bhoys what a brilliant night for them and Scottish football.
Link to this (Comment number 110)
Comment number 109.
Hector_the_happy_hairy_hyper_haggis4 Minutes ago
Great result for celtic & Scottish football, what s moment for an 18 year old to come off the bench & make your champions league debut & score against barcelona
Link to this (Comment number 109)
Comment number 108.
xenosys20055 Minutes ago
sthomson18
Don't get me wrong. Celtic have done an absolutely stunning job in garnering 7 points so far from 4 difficult games, but in order to even contemplate winning this tournament, they need to produce Barcelona-esque performances home and away, for 3 rounds, and then the final, should they qualify. Not impossible, but very unlikely. A little Optimism never hurt anyone though :-)
Link to this (Comment number 108)
Comment number 107.
Jman816 Minutes ago
Only in Scottish football can in one week, the National Manager get sacked, an SPL team given a winding-up notice and another beats the best club side in the world...and it's only Wednesday!
Bring on the rest of the week!
Link to this (Comment number 107)
Comments 5 of 111