Real Madrid gives Ancelotti a nice record in match with three penalties


Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at 8:35 PM• Jonathan van Haaster • Last update: 20:50

Real Madrid easily managed to deal with Celtic on Wednesday evening. In its own Estadio Santiago Bernabéu it was 5-1. It was striking that referee Stéphane Frappart pointed to the dot three times in the first half. Because Celtic failed to use his penalty, there was no more tension in the second half. The team of coach Carlo Ancelotti, who equals record holder Sir Alex Ferguson with 102 victories in the billion-dollar ball, has secured group win in Group F with the victory.

Real knew in advance that it needed a win to keep the group win in their own hands. Ancelotti therefore started with a strong starting eleven. Federico Valverde moved back to midfield, allowing Marco Asensio to take his right winger position. Golden Ball winner Karim Benzema started on the bench. In his position in the striker was Rodrygo, who next to him on the left saw compatriot Vinícius Júnior. Former VVV-Venlo striker Giorgos Giakoumakis had to sit on the bench at Celtic.

The desired opening goal soon came for the Madrilenians. After Moritz Jenz made hands, Frappart pointed to the dot. Luka Modric did not fail from eleven meters: 1-0. Still, Celtic played well and got a big chance after fifteen minutes. Daizen Maeda received a pass in the barrel from midfield and then dangerously passed the ball. The sliding striker Kyogo Furuhashi, however, was centimeters short of a serious attempt on goal. On the other hand, Real were awarded another penalty after Matthew O’Riley made a handball. Rodrygo then had little trouble passing Joe Hart: 2-0.

The visitors from Glasgow nevertheless kept trying. After Éder Militão’s careless loss of the ball, the ball ended up with Maeda, who found Furuhashi. His shot, however, failed to make Courtois nervous. Moments later, Celtic had the perfect opportunity to score the connecting goal, after Frappart got to the spot for the third time. Ferland Mendy took out direct opponent Liel Abada, after which he saw teammate Josip Juranovic encounter Courtois.

The 3-0, and with it the final decision, came in the sixth minute after the break. Valverde found Dani Carvajal on the right side of the box. The Spaniard then put the ball back to Asensio, who shot in with the left: 3-0. Shortly after an hour of play, it was again 4-0, after a cross from Valverde could be tapped in by Vinícius in front of the goal. Giakoumakis was then brought in and the Greek had a shot almost immediately, which did not make Courtois sweat.

On the other hand, Valverde made his first of the evening, pushing the inside of his foot against the ball from just outside the box. The Uruguayan was able to cheer after seeing his attempt end up in the far corner: 5-0. Substitute Jota beautifully saved the honor for the Scots ten minutes before the end. A free kick from the Portuguese disappeared over the wall and through Courtois’ glove into the net: 5-1.