Champions League Qualifier: Braga 3-0 Celtic - Neil Lennon's Bhoys suffer European nightmare in Portugal

• Braga v Celtic: Lineups/Stats

Celtic's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League group stages were dealt a severe blow as they were torn apart 3-0 by Braga in their first-leg third round tie.

Osario Alan opened the scoring from the spot in the first half after Sung-Yong Ki handled in the box. After the break Uwa Echijile and Matheus put a major dent in Celtic's European hopes, and ensured that the Portuguese side take a three-goal lead into the return fixture in Scotland.

Portuguese Liga runners-up Braga had a starting line-up featuring new signings Uwa Echijile and Leandro Salino, and the twin Brazilian threat of Osario Alan and Lima started in attack.

The Bhoys set-up with a five-man midfield, with new signings Efrain Juarez and Joe Ledley beside Scott Brown, Shaun Maloney and Ki Sung-Yong. Georgios Samaras was selected up-front as the lone striker, whike Aden McGeady was left out entirely.

The game started with the Portuguese hosts not allowing Lennon's new-look side to settle on the ball. A number of scrappy fouls from both sides typified the opening ten minutes, and it wasn't until Braga worked the ball up to the final third and Alan blasted wide that the game saw its first meaningful attempt at goal.

Celtic weren't offering much, and their first attempts on goal came courtesy of a decent Shaun Maloney curling delivery. Samaras was rooted in the right place to profit, but so was Portuguese defender Pinheiro Moises, to protect his goal by heading away.

For all their superior possession, the Portuguese side didn't look particularly threatening until the course of the game was changed, with a penalty call in their favour on the 23rd minute.

Paulo Cesar collected the ball towards the right of goal and delivered a cross into the box. Somewhat unfortunately, Ki Sung-Yeung was in the way, and the ball appeared to strike his hand and the referee pointed to the spot.

Alan stepped up, and left 'keeper Lukasc Zaluska with no chance, hitting a power-penalty into the top left of the goal to liven-up the subdued home crowd.

Braga, like the fans, were buoyed after taking the lead, and immediately started to look more threatening, as they came forward looking for a second.

Alan could have had a first-half brace but a fierce shot from him, after a well worked move with Lima, screwed wide right of goal.

Lennon needed some kind of response from his side to curve the momentum of the game away from the hosts, but a through ball to Samaras saw the Greek international time his run too early and the offside flag was raised. Celtic were living off scraps.

Just before the interval Braga were awarded a free-kick after a foul by Glenn Loovens. Echiejile struck a right footed effort, but Zaluska was comfortable in saving it. Nevertheless the hosts went into the interval with a well deserved 1-0 lead.


HALF-TIME: BRAGA 1-0 CELTIC


No changes were made at the break, and there was no change in the Bhoys' inability to build attacks in the game.

Again it was Braga who looked the more threatening, and there would have been red faces all round for Celtic had Cesar not scuffed his shot after bouncing his way through the heart of the Bhoys back-line.

Zaluska collected the weak shot and put it back in play but no sooner had he done so his defence was under pressure again.

Good footwork deep down the right channel allowed Miguel Garcia to easily pull a cross back to the edge of the box as tackle-shy Charlie Mulgrew stood idle, thankfully for the Scot his defensive teammates were alert and intercepted from the onrushing Lima.

Celtic were huffing and puffing as Lennon shouted at his charges to show more, but all his side could offer were a number of high crosses into the box from long distance after being awarded free-kicks near the middle of the pitch.

This was no problem for Pinheiro Moises and his defensive partners to deal with, as it now looked like Os Arcebispos were content to play on the counter.

They had a good chance to double their lead after reckless challenge by Maloney saw a free-kick rewarded in a dangerous position from goal. Cesar crossed in but Moises, after rising above Hooiveld, could only head wide.

Not long after that Celtic had one of their few sniffs at goal after being awarded a corner. Mulgrew's inswinging delivery had sufficient arc to cause panic in the Braga defence, with goalkeeper Felgudiraf coming out flapping. Unfortunately for Celtic, none of their players were in the right place to profit.

Down the other end and Braga had their own corner. And they did not waste it to compound a bad night for the Scots.

Poor defending from the Bhoys in failing to deal with Nascimento Matheus's cross allowed Echiejile to score his first goal for his new club and put a big dent in Celtic's European ambitions.

Celtic tried to respond but their efforts became increasingly desperate with ten minutes left on the clock. A long range effort from Mulgrew that whistled just wide was about as good as it got.

If their task was not difficult enough already, a wonder strike from Matheus from fully 30 yards makes qualification to the group stages an improbable task.

The Scottish giants now have it all to do as they look ahead to the return fixture at Celtic Park.