Atletico Madrid 2-0 Celtic: Summer signings Radamel Falcao & Diego on target

Celtic was fortunate to make it to the group stages following the expulsion of FC Sion, but gave itself a mountain to climb early on as Radamel Falcao, a winner of the competition last season, gave Atletico the lead and it never looked back.

It took the Spaniards under three minutes to take the lead as last season’s Europa League top-scorer Falcao beat the Scottish defense in the air from a right-sided corner and headed home from nine yards out.

The first half was mostly contested around the Celtic penalty area with the Bhoys defending relatively well, whilst their Spanish hosts struggled to carve clear opportunities.

Celtic started the second half brightly with Ki Sung-Yeung testing Courtois from some 30 yards, but the goalkeeper, on-loan from Chelsea, pulled off a flying save to tip the ball over.

A second goal did come for Atletico and with it went Celtic’s chances of getting anything out of the match.

Turkish winger Arda Turan beat Mark Wilson on his outside before cutting the ball back into the area once he reached the goalline, and waiting to stroke the ball home was Diego, the Brazilian notching his first goal for the club.

Celtic was much improved after the break, however it still failed to trouble Courtois in the Atletico goal.

In the dying minutes, Turan forced another decent save from Forster as the Turkey international ghosted in behind the Celtic defense before attempting to dink the ball over the onrushing keeper, but the score remained 2-0 to Atletico and it was fairly comfortable for the Liga side.