Celtic 0-3 Real Madrid: Los Blancos plant the flag in Glasgow

For Real Madrid, what better way to start the new Champions League campaign? Firstly, the setting: in an atmosphere dripping with passion for the game and a love of the European Cup, they took on a Celtic side which, from the off, went at the visitors with everything they had. And, secondly, the result: a 3-0 victory that flatters Madrid, I’d say, but further polishes the 14-time champions’ European prestige. The only black mark on the night was Karim Benzema’s first-half withdrawal with a knee issue. It had to be him; the man who cannot be replaced. For a period after he went off, the team looked like seafarers who had lost sight of the north star, but in the end their firepower told, and they were clear winners. There was even a goal for Eden Hazard, the man who came on for Benzema.

It wasn’t a 3-0 game. Madrid struggled for control and were made to sweat by Celtic’s thrusting forward forays, particularly when Callum McGregor hit a thunderous shot against the post that gave keeper Thibaut Courtois no chance. However, everything changed after Los Blancos opened the scoring, when Fede Valverde caught the Celtic defence out with a galloping run down the right, before delivering an angled pass to Vinícius Júnior, who finished with serene precision. Almost immediately afterwards, a good forward burst by Hazard ended up with the ball at the feet of Luka Modric, who strained to evade the challenges before producing a lovely outside-of-the-boot finish - something Rafa Benítez had tried to stop him from doing. With the game won, Hazard’s goal then boosted his case as Benzema’s chief understudy.

Sevilla walloped by Man City

A great result for Madrid. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for Sevilla, who - just as was feared - were given a hiding by Manchester City. In his efforts to stop Erling Braut Haaland, head coach Julen Lopetegui went for a strikerless line-up, with Isco at false nine. But really, who can stop Haaland? The Norwegian got City’s opener midway through the first half and added his second after the break, by which time Sevilla had thrown on Rafa Mir in an attempt to establish a less timid formation. But the hosts had no answer to the Sky Blues, and the evening finished up with a 4-0 scoreline and chants against club president José Castro. For Sevilla, this game against a City side bolstered by Haaland came at the worst possible time. A black cloud hung over Castro and Lopetegui last night.