Focue Provides the Latest and Most Up-to-Date News, What You Focus On is What You Get.
⎯ 《 Focue • Com 》
Celtic suffer late heartbreak to remain without a point in Champions League
Celtic suffer late heartbreak to remain without a point in Champions League
Celtic suffered more Champions League pain at Parkhead as Lazio scored a stoppage-time winner soon after the home side were denied a goal following a lengthy VAR check. With the score at 1-1, substitute Luis Palma fired home in the 81st minute after Daizen Maeda had attempted an overhead kick from Alistair Johnston’s cross, and the VAR officials decided he was offside. There was a bigger blow to come when former Barcelona and Chelsea forward Pedro headed home from fellow substitute Matteo Guendouzi’s cross five minutes into stoppage-time to secure the Italian club a 2-1 win in Group E. Celtic had taken an early lead through Kyogo Furuhashi but Matias Vecino levelled following a 29th-minute corner. Brendan Rodgers’ side looked the likelier team to find a winner but their 10-year wait for a home victory in the Champions League group stage continues and the ninth defeat in that 11-game run would be the most difficult one to take after a largely encouraging performance. The tie was a resumption of hostilities from four seasons ago when Celtic triumphed home and away against Lazio in the Europa League, their victory in Rome sealed by Olivier Ntcham, who appeared on a massive pre-match banner among the home fans in the standing section. Celtic settled quickly and Furuhashi netted his first goal in eight Champions League appearances 12 minutes in. The Japanese striker’s finish went through the dive of goalkeeper Ivan Provedel after he was played through by a first-time pass from Matt O’Riley after positive play from Maeda. The atmosphere went up a notch but Celtic did not build on their advantage. Despite having plenty of possession in the aftermath of the goal, most of it was inside their own half and the occasional slack pass put them in danger. They had a chance on the break when Yang Hyun-jun played Maeda in behind but the Japanese attacker mis-kicked his ambitious effort. Lazio’s territorial advantage paid off when they won three headers in a row from Luis Alberto’s corner. Joe Hart appeared to have saved the third one from Vecino but the Lithuanian referee ruled the ball had spun behind the line before being clawed away. Celtic got back on the front foot and O’Riley forced a good save from a first-time strike before getting back to make an important interception to foil a counter-attack. The start of the second half was finely-balanced. Felipe Anderson failed to make the most of receiving the ball in yards of space inside the Celtic box before the home side came close from a free-kick. Provedel made a good stop from Reo Hatate’s low drive and Johnston fired over from the rebound. Cameron Carter-Vickers made his comeback from a hamstring injury after a seven-week lay-off when he replaced Nat Phillips while Palma came on for Yang, who had enjoyed some good moments but generally failed to make the most of his possession. Hart got down well to save Daichi Kamada’s 20-yard drive before Paulo Bernardo snatched at a half-chance at the other end moments after coming on. Celtic continued to make the running. Palma was briefly bearing down on goal before Alessio Romagnoli slid in to win the ball, Liam Scales attempted an overhead kick which flew over and Furuhashi was denied from close range. Palma thought he had scored what would have been one of the best-worked goals in the Champions League this week after a lengthy passing move that went from back to front and side to side. The Honduran winger was booked for taking his shirt off in celebration before the VAR team delivered worse news, and a crushing blow would soon follow to leave Celtic bottom of their group without a point. Read More Newcastle’s local heroes stun PSG to twist a tale of geopolitical tension Kylian Mbappe frustrated as PSG humbled by Newcastle in Champions League Man City rely on Julian Alvarez to beat RB Leipzig as Erling Haaland falters Is Celtic vs Lazio on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Champions League Kylian Mbappe frustrated as PSG humbled by Newcastle in Champions League Man City rely on Julian Alvarez to beat RB Leipzig as Erling Haaland falters
2023-10-05 05:38
Mason denies Kane was saying farewell to Spurs
Mason denies Kane was saying farewell to Spurs
Ryan Mason insisted Harry Kane was not saying farewell to Tottenham after the England captain waved to fans following Saturday's...
2023-05-21 01:15
9 Curses for Book Thieves From the Middle Ages and Beyond
9 Curses for Book Thieves From the Middle Ages and Beyond
In the Middle Ages, stealing a book was more like stealing someone’s car today. Now, we have car alarms; then, they had chains, chests … and curses.
2023-06-12 21:44
Yellen says US economy does not need drastic tightening, 'soft landing' on track
Yellen says US economy does not need drastic tightening, 'soft landing' on track
By Howard Schneider BESSEMER CITY, North Carolina U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Thursday she believes the
2023-12-01 03:05
Padres give Mike Shildt another chance to manage 2 years after his Cardinals exit
Padres give Mike Shildt another chance to manage 2 years after his Cardinals exit
Mike Shildt has been hired as manager of the San Diego Padres, returning to the dugout two years after he was suddenly fired by the St. Louis Cardinals following a third straight playoff appearance
2023-11-22 10:05
New Zealand’s Hipkins Disagrees With Biden That Xi Is a Dictator
New Zealand’s Hipkins Disagrees With Biden That Xi Is a Dictator
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said he wouldn’t characterize Chinese President Xi Jinping as a dictator, disagreeing
2023-06-22 13:25
Exclusive-N. Korea hackers breached US IT company in bid to steal crypto-sources
Exclusive-N. Korea hackers breached US IT company in bid to steal crypto-sources
By Christopher Bing and Raphael Satter WASHINGTON A North Korean government-backed hacking group penetrated an American IT management
2023-07-20 18:14
Growing number of Big Ten players discovering the challenges of playing for interim head coaches
Growing number of Big Ten players discovering the challenges of playing for interim head coaches
Michigan State linebacker Jordan Hall talks about rolling with the punches to maintain focus amid adversity
2023-10-17 22:54
Amber Portwood to make a comeback on 'Teen Mom' after reality star announced decision to quit show
Amber Portwood to make a comeback on 'Teen Mom' after reality star announced decision to quit show
Following a departure due to creative differences with the producers, Amber Portwood is now slated to make a comeback to 'Teen Mom'
1970-01-01 08:00
Champion UConn gets Newton back at deadline for college players to exit NBA draft
Champion UConn gets Newton back at deadline for college players to exit NBA draft
Wednesday marked the deadline for players who were early entrants to the NBA draft to withdraw and return to college basketball
2023-06-01 04:39
China Stock Traders Shrug Off Beijing’s Measures to Boost Market
China Stock Traders Shrug Off Beijing’s Measures to Boost Market
Chinese stocks slid even after policymakers urged top financial institutions to help stabilize a struggling market, an indication
2023-08-25 14:58
Angelina Jolie once admitted not feeling attracted to Brad Pitt over 'Burn After Reading' role
Angelina Jolie once admitted not feeling attracted to Brad Pitt over 'Burn After Reading' role
'This is the first time I can honestly say I’m not attracted to you whatsoever,' Angelina Jolie reportedly told Brad Pitt
2023-06-18 21:11