Champions league: Manchester United crash at Celtic
Nov 22, 2006 - 8:28:42 PM
, Reviewed by: Priya Saxena
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Florent Malouda made it 2-0 on 31 minutes when the French international turned in a Juninho free kick.
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By DPA,
[RxPG] Hamburg, Nov 22 (DPA) Manchester United suffered a second Champions League defeat in succession as they lost 0-1 to Celtic, who booked their place in the knockout phase for the first time.
Alex Ferguson's side now need a draw at home to Benfica in their final match to ensure progress after the Portuguese side moved within two points of the English Premiership leaders Tuesday with a 3-1 win at home to FC Copenhagen.
In other action, Real Madrid came from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw at home to Olympique Lyon in Group E and even missed the chance to win the game when Ruud van Nistelrooy saw his late spot kick saved. Lyon are now guaranteed top spot while Madrid finish second.
Steaua Bucharest and Dynamo Kiev drew 1-1 in the other group match.
In Group G, late goals from Emmanuel Eboue and Gilberto helped Arsenal to a 3-1 victory over SV Hamburg while earlier, former tournament winners FC Porto beat CSKA Moscow 2-0 to move to the top of the group.
Both sides now have 10 points ahead of their clash in Portugal while CSKA on eight points are also in with a chance of qualification.
Already qualified AC Milan suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat to AEK Athens in Group H, a result that gives the Greeks hope of making it to the knockout stages after Lille and Anderlecht played out a 2-2 draw.
Athens, who face Anderlecht in their final game, now have seven points, one clear of Lille ahead of their visit to Milan.
United went into the match at Celtic Park in Glasgow on the back of a shock loss to FC Copenhagen their last group match but still needing just a point to ensure a place in the knockout phase.
However, it was not to be as Alex Ferguson's side were stunned by Nakamura's brilliance and thwarted by Polish goalkeeper Artur Buruc's late heroics.
Chances were at a premium for both sides in a frenetic match with Thomas Gravesen seeing a second half effort saved on the line by United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.
But the match exploded into action 10 minutes from time when Nakamura repeated his feat from the match between the sides at Old Trafford by curling in an unstoppable free kick from 30 metres.
The goal stunned United into action and Saha had a glorious chance to equalise but fluffed his effort. Luck appeared to be on the tournament winners from 1999's side, however, when Neil Lennon was adjudged to have handled the ball off a Cristiano Ronaldo free kick in the area.
But Buruc saved the day, diving low to his right to palm away Saha's spot kick. Celtic and United are level on nine points but the Scottish champions go through, thanks to a better head to head record.
United now need a point at home to Benfica, who lurk two points behind, to ensure there is no repeat of last season's elimination from the group stages by the same team.
Madrid went into the Group E match at the Bernabeu stadium looking to bridge a three-point deficit on group leaders Lyon but were a goal down after just 11 minutes when John Carew took full advantage of a mistake by Fabio Cannavaro to put the French champions ahead.
Florent Malouda made it 2-0 on 31 minutes when the French international turned in a Juninho free kick.
Mahamadou Diarra pulled one back for Real eight minutes later after being set up by Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was on hand to make it 2-2 before squandering a chance to win the game with a weakly struck penalty that was easily saved by Lyon goalkeeper Gregory Coupet.
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