Alvaro Morata (1st R) of Atletico de Madrid scores a goal during the UEFA Champions League Group E match between Atletico de Madrid and Celtic in Madrid, Spain, Nov. 7, 2023. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
MADRID, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Atletico Madrid got their Champions League campaign back on track on Tuesday night with an easy 6-0 win at home against Celtic.
The Spanish side took an early lead thanks to an impressive strike from Antoine Griezmann in the sixth minute, and their task got much easier in the 23rd minute when Celtic forward Daizen Maeda was sent off for a studs-up challenge.
Alvaro Morata doubled Atletico's lead in the first-half injury time, and it was plain sailing for the Spanish side after the break.
Griezmann netted Atletico's third in the 60th minute, while Samuel Lino made it 4-0 six minutes later.
Morata netted his second of the night with 14 minutes left to play, and Saul Niguez rounded off the rout from close range with six minutes left.
The result means Atletico move to the top of their group with a one-point lead over Lazio and two more than Feyenoord, whom Atletico visit on Nov. 28.
FC Barcelona still have work to do to reach the last 16 of the tournament after a 1-0 defeat against Shakhtar Donetsk in a game played in Hamburg.
Barcelona struggled to get into the game in the first half, and the Ukrainian side made them pay in the 40th minute when Danylo Sikan nodded them in front.
The forward beay Andreas Christensen in the air and gave Marc-Andre ter Stegen no chance with a powerful header.
Barca coach Xavi Hernandez looked for a reaction after the break, with Joao Felix, Alejandro Balde, Pedri, and Lamine Yamal all coming on with 30 minutes left to play.
It was an end-to-end game for the last half-hour, but Shakhtar also had chances, and Newerton had the ball in the Barca net again in the 87th minute, only for it to be disallowed for a tight offside.
Barca did pin Shakhtar in their own half in the seven minutes of injury time, but the Ukrainians defended bravely to claim a well-deserved win that keeps their qualification hopes alive. ■
Samuel Lino (L) of Atletico de Madrid celebrates his goal with Alvaro Morata during the UEFA Champions League Group E match between Atletico de Madrid and Celtic in Madrid, Spain, Nov. 7, 2023. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
Alvaro Morata (L) of Atletico de Madrid celebrates a goal during the UEFA Champions League Group E match between Atletico de Madrid and Celtic in Madrid, Spain, Nov. 7, 2023. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
Angel Correa (L) of Atletico de Madrid vies with Callum McGregor of Celtic during the UEFA Champions League Group E match between Atletico de Madrid and Celtic in Madrid, Spain, Nov. 7, 2023. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
Saul Niguez (2nd R) of Atletico de Madrid scores a goal during the UEFA Champions League Group E match between Atletico de Madrid and Celtic in Madrid, Spain, Nov. 7, 2023. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
Joe Hart, goalkeeper of Celtic, fails to save a goal during the UEFA Champions League Group E match between Atletico de Madrid and Celtic in Madrid, Spain, Nov. 7, 2023. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
Players of Atletico de Madrid celebrate a goal during the UEFA Champions League Group E match between Atletico de Madrid and Celtic in Madrid, Spain, Nov. 7, 2023. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
Nahuel Molina (L) of Atletico de Madrid vies with Luis Palma of Celtic during the UEFA Champions League Group E match between Atletico de Madrid and Celtic in Madrid, Spain, Nov. 7, 2023. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
