THIS time the one disgrace was that the sport needed to finish.
Celtic and Atletico now have a European tie they’ll each be pleased with.
Kyogo scored an early opener at ParkheadCredit score: Alamy
Palma restored Celtic’s lead after Griezmann levellerCredit score: Alamy
Morata headed in to make it 2-2Credit score: EPA
Half a century on from an notorious conflict memorable for sheer brutality, this was an evening when the soccer on present left its mark.
It was simply unlucky for Brendan Rodgers’ aspect that their efficiency didn’t make the dent they hoped for on Group E.
The Spanish aspect did have a person despatched off and it resulted in a draw prefer it did in 1974.
However some 50 years on and there was no outrage or fisticuffs within the tunnel. Simply respect.
Celtic couldn’t have dreamed of a greater begin with Kyogo firing them forward inside 4 minutes.
However Atletico hit again by means of Antoine Griezmann.
Luis Palma then put Rodgers staff forward once more earlier than Alvaro Morata levelled early within the second half.
It was only a thrilling finish to finish European conflict you couldn’t take your eyes off for a cut up second.
The backdrop to all of this was a defiant present of assist to Palestine by hundreds of Celtic supporters.
The membership urged their followers to not politicise this European match for concern of UEFA sanctions.
However their attraction fell on deaf ears.
There was merely no stopping them.
As soon as the sport obtained going it was the identical for Rodgers’ aspect as they stormed into an early lead.
Kyogo scored the opening aim in opposition to Lazio when he mixed brilliantly with the Matt O’Riley.
Right here the pair linked up once more to stun the Spanish.
O’Riley is having fun with such a wealthy vein of kind proper now that he’s clearly oozing confidence.
His one-touch move into Kyogo’s ft was sensational with the little striker cleverly dinking his end past goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
It was such a dream begin for Scotland’s champions.
From that pleasure, thought, quickly got here tears.
Reo Hatate was distraught simply moments later when a pulled hamstring meant his night time was cruelly over.
It’s an damage he’s had earlier than and his ache and frustration was written throughout his face.
Paulo Bernardo got here on as Hatate’s substitute with the on-loan Benfica midfielder given an surprising alternative to indicate he belongs at this stage.
It was asking loads with the beginning of the sport so quick and frantic.
And it simply didn’t let up.
Atletico made it 1-1 after being awarded a penalty with 23 minutes on the clock.
Greg Taylor felt harshly handled when the German ref dominated Nahuel Molina had been clipped contained in the field. However in reality the Scotland defender actually might have little criticism.
Joe Hart was the one who was actually unlucky.
He threw himself low to his left to make an impressive save to maintain out Griezmann’s spot-kick.
However the ball got here proper again to the fabulous Frenchman who made no mistake together with his second try.
Celtic might have let their heads drop there after which.
Atletico had a spell the place they actually seemed the half.
However there was a resilience to Rodgers’ aspect which noticed them deal with that set-back and shrug it off.
Palma’s aim to make it 2-1 got here simply three minutes after the guests drew stage.
And what a strike it was.
Daizen Maeda had switched wings to the left and he did tremendously nicely to fireside a ball into the field.
Belgian star Axel Witsel tripped over his personal ft and fell over.
However whereas Palma nonetheless had a lot to do to beat the goalkeeper he drilled a shot which beat Oblak all fingers up.
The house assist went wild once more with the noise deafening.
It was turning into an unimaginable sport of soccer with two prime groups giving it every thing that they had.
The ref was standing for no nonsense both, reserving three Atletico gamers Rodrigo De Paul, Javier Galan and Molina earlier than the interval.
Earlier than then there have been different possibilities at each ends.
In 35 minutes O’Riley got here near volleying a 3rd for Celtic however the keeper made a save this time.
Celtic themselves breathed an enormous sigh of reduction when the flag went as much as disallow an Atletico aim for off-side.
The large query was whether or not Rodgers’ aspect might preserve their stage of efficiency for the second half having put a lot into the primary interval.
By 53 minutes it was starting to seem like they wouldn’t.
Atletico made it 2-2 when half-time sub Marcos Llorente crossed from the fitting to arrange Morata to attain.
The Spain star – who scored in opposition to Scotland in Seville – stooped on the again submit to information an improvised header previous Hart.
With a lot time left to play it appeared extremely unlikely the scoring was going to finish there.
The longer the second half wore on the extra weary Celtic seemed.
On the hour mark Rodgers determined to strive one thing new in a bid to show issues Celtic’s manner.
Winger Palma was subbed with centre-half Nat Phillips thrown on as the house aspect switched to a again three.
However the tiredness within the males in inexperienced and white was there for all to see.
Atletico nearly gained it in 75 minutes, sub Angel Correa turning on a sixpence contained in the field and smashing a shot Hart blocked together with his legs.
With eight minutes left to play, although, and a pink card gave Celtic contemporary hope.
De Paul – booked within the first-half – swiped down O’Riley with a lazy problem in the midst of the park to be despatched off.
Instantly Rodgers’ aspect had an additional man for the closing phases as the house assist urged them to push for a winner.
But it surely wasn’t to be as they needed to accept a degree for his or her efforts.
Preserve updated with ALL the newest information and transfers on the Scottish Solar soccer web page