European Super Football

Celtic 4 - 2 Utrecht Celtic kept their Europa League hopes alive with a composed and ultimately comfortable victory over winless Utrecht  Author |  Sean M Stadium |  Celtic Park Goals from Benjamin Nygren and Arne Engels, either side of a Nick Viergever own goal, had Martin O’Neill’s side three up inside 19 minutes before Dani de Wit pulled one back for the visitors with their first effort of the night. Utrecht threatened to turn the contest on its head when Adrian Blake struck from distance to beat Kasper Schmeichel, but any lingering anxiety was eased four minutes later as Auston Trusty headed in from an Engels corner. Celtic, who finished 21st in the league phase, will now face either Stuttgart in the knockout play-off round. Utrecht’s European campaign ended with a solitary point. A closer analysis of what happened With qualification on the line, O’Neill urged his players to attack from the outset and they responded with a blistering start against the Dutch side. ...

Benfica 4 - 2 Real Madrid Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored an extraordinary 98th-minute equaliser to propel José Mourinho’s Benfica into the Champions League play-offs after a remarkable victory. Author | Ed Stadium |  Estádio da Luz The defeat leaves the Spanish giants facing the play-off round themselves, having slipped from third to ninth following their loss at the Estádio da Luz. There remains a strong possibility the two sides will meet again, with Benfica also required to negotiate the additional knockout stage. For a long moment it appeared Benfica would be eliminated in the cruellest fashion, heading out on goals scored despite leading 3-2 deep into stoppage time. One final free-kick, however, offered a last lifeline. Trubin was sent forward and the Ukrainian goalkeeper timed his run impeccably, powering a header beyond Thibaut Courtois to ignite rapturous scenes in Lisbon. The win was Mourinho’s first against his former club and ensured Benfica progressed despite losing ...