Celtic 2 - 3 Barcelona

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Wednesday Feb 20 2008 07:45

Barcelona twice came from behind to clinch a 3-2 victory in a dramatic Champions League clash with Celtic.Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Barry Robson scored before the interval for the Bhoys with Lionel Messi grabbing Barca's sole response.

The visitors equalised for a second time thanks to former Arsenal star Thierry Henry before Messi slotted home a 79th-minute winner.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan caused a shock in his starting line-up by bringing Paul Caddis in for the cup-tied Andreas Hinkel, while Robson replaced the suspended Scott Brown in midfield.

Celtic keeper Artur Boruc was forced to make a smart save to deny Andres Iniesta, before Caddis headed Henry's shot clear.

However, the hosts took the lead with their first attack of the match. Scott McDonald found Lee Naylor who crossed for Hesselink to power home a header.

Almost immediately Barcelona were level though when Messi beat Naylor and, after playing a one-two with Deco, fired a superb shot into the roof of the net.

Ronaldinho went close to giving Frank Rijkaard's side the lead with a free-kick before Celtic regained their advantage when Aiden McGeady crossed for Robson to head over Barca keeper Victor Valdes.

After the interval though, the Catalan giants took control with Ronaldinho setting up Henry to grab a sublime equaliser before Messi beat Gary Caldwell and fired a shot past Boruc.

Barcelona's second-half comeback leaves Strachan's side with a mountain to climb in the second leg of their last 16 encounter in the Camp Nou in two weeks' time.

  • 90
    The referee has booked Georgios Samaras.
  • 90
    The ref has blown his whistle for full time.
  • 88
    Thierry Henry is replaced by Eidur Gudjohnsen.
  • 79
    Goal!! Barcelona have scored with Lionel Messi putting it in the back of the net.
  • 73
    Gaucho Ronaldinho is being taken off, Samuel Eto'o has come on in his place.
  • 66
    Anderson Luis Deco is replaced by Xavier Hernandez Xavi.
  • 65
    Celtic are replacing Paul Hartley with Massimo Donati.
  • 61
    Paul Caddis is being taken off, Mark Wilson has come on in his place.
  • 61
    Paul Hartley is booked for unsporting behaviour.
  • 55
    Celtic are replacing Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink with Georgios Samaras.
  • 52
    Goal!! Thierry Henry scores for Barcelona.
  • 46
    The second half is under way with the score currently at 2 v 1.
  • 45
    The ref has blown his whistle for half time.
  • 38
    Goal!! Celtic have scored with Barry Robson putting it in the back of the net.
  • 30
    Anderson Luis Deco is booked for unsporting behaviour.
  • 20
    Barry Robson is booked for unsporting behaviour.
  • 18
    Goal!! Barcelona have scored with Lionel Messi putting it in the back of the net.
  • 16
    Goal!! Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink scores for Celtic.
  • 0
    It's 7:45pm on Wednesday, February 20th, the match has kicked off.

Statistics

Celtic
Shots on target 3
Shots off target 1
Shots off bar/post 0
Fouls 14
Offsides 1
Corners 1

Barcelona
Shots on target 9
Shots off target 10
Shots off bar/post 0
Fouls 7
Offsides 2
Corners 8

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