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MATCH REPORT. 06/09/2022. Alberto Navarro. Photographer: Helios de la Rubia/Antonio Villalba
Goals by Vini Jr., Modrić and Hazard clinched all three points for Real Madrid against Celtic following a superb second-half display.
Kroos
Vini Jr.
Modrić
The reigning European champions set out in defence of their title in solid fashion with a convincing win at Celtic Park. The three points were all sewn up in a fantastic second half by our team, led by the magestic Toni Kroos, who was named Player of the Match. Vini Jr., Luka Modrić and Eden Hazard all found the back of the net to mark Real Madrid's sixth win on the bounce. The first real chance of the night fell to Celtic following a swift counter-attack which saw Abada race through one-on-one against Courtois, but the goalkeeper came out on top with 13 minutes gone. Eight minutes later, McGregor saw his left-footed strike from the edge of the box crash back off the upright as the hosts enjoyed a positive spell, compounded when Hazard came on for Benzema, who was unable to continue beyond the half-hour mark due to a knee problem. From then until the interval, it was all about our team though, as two chances to break the deadlock presented themselves in quick succession. With 41 minutes on the clock, Carvajal whipped the ball across the box and Hazard narrowly failed to turn it home from close range. A minute later, the Belgian threaded a gorgeous ball in behind to send Vini Jr. up against Hart, but the goalkeeper stood strong to deny the Brazilian. Éder Militão was forced off at the break with a knock and was replaced by Antonio Rüdiger. The whole complexion of the contest changed in the 56th minute. The European champions hit the front following a move that involved the same duo who combined for the winning goal against Liverpool in the Paris showpiece. Fede Valverde played in an inviting cross from the right and Vini Jr. applied the perfect first-time finish as the Brazilian extended his purple patch to four goals in as many games.The visitors doubled their money just four minutes later. Hazard set off on a solo run and drove up to the 18-yard box, before teeing up Modrić and the Croatian did the rest in his 100th outing in madridista colours as he came inside a defender, before stroking the ball home with the outside of his right boot. However, there was still time for our boys to further extend their advantage. Kroos sprayed the ball out to Dani Carvajal, whose first-time pass to Hazard left the Belgian with the simplest of tap-ins. The madridistas could have even made it four when a chance fell to Rodrygo with 90 minutes on the clock. The Brazilian let fly from the edge of the area, only to see his effort whistle narrowly past the upright. The reigning champions come away from Glasgow with maximum points after opening the defence of their crown in emphatic fashion.
VIDEO.0-3: Reigning champions get underway with a win in Glasgow