In a riveting preseason encounter at the Kenan Memorial Stadium, Celtic Glasgow edged out Manchester City with a 4-3 victory. This match was a showcase of attacking flair, defensive lapses, and clinical finishing from both sides, providing an entertaining spectacle for the fans.
First Half Highlights
The match began with high intensity from both teams, but it was Celtic who drew first blood.
14′ 0-1: Nicholas Kuhn Strikes Early Celtic opened the scoring in the 14th minute when Matt O’Riley found Nicholas Kuhn with a precise pass. Kuhn calmly slotted the ball past Ederson, putting Celtic ahead.
33′ 1-1: Oscar Bobb Equalizes Manchester City responded in the 33rd minute. Nathaniel O’Reilly set up Oscar Bobb, who finished expertly to bring City level.
36′ 1-2: Kuhn at It Again Just three minutes later, Kuhn struck again. Assisted by Reo Hatate, he headed in a well-delivered cross to restore Celtic’s lead.
44′ 1-3: Furuhashi Extends the Lead Celtic continued to press, and in the 44th minute, Kuhn turned provider, assisting Kyogo Furuhashi to extend Celtic’s lead to 1-3 before halftime.
Second Half Drama
The second half saw City mounting a spirited comeback.
46′ 2-3: Perrone Pulls One Back Immediately after the restart, Máximo Perrone reduced the deficit with a well-placed shot.
57′ 3-3: Haaland Equalizes Erling Haaland, showing his striking prowess, equalized for City in the 57th minute, setting up a thrilling final half-hour.
68′ 3-4: Palma Seals the Win However, Celtic had the final say. Luis Palma scored the decisive goal in the 68th minute, ensuring a memorable win for the Scottish champions.
Key Takeaways
- Celtic’s High Press: Celtic’s aggressive pressing disrupted City’s buildup play, creating multiple scoring opportunities.
- City’s Defensive Woes: Defensive lapses were costly for City, as Celtic exploited these to great effect.
- Midfield Battle: The midfield contest was intense, with Celtic’s players effectively neutralizing City’s creative threats.
