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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
Sport
Ben Banks

Real Madrid set Celtic Champions League task as Hoops path to reaching last 16 laid bare

Real Madrid have opened the door to a frantic three-way fight in Champions League Group F after Celtic lost against RB Leipzig earlier on Wednesday night.

Second to bottom in the section is now split by just three points after Los Blancos beat Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 while RB Leipzig overcame Ange Postecoglou's side in the early kick-off. Carlo Ancelotti's men had this game under control early doors with goals by Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior in the first half seeming to put them on easy street.

The Ukrainian champions though showed the strength of character Celtic will face at Parkhead later this Autumn as they hung in the game for its entirety after a Oleksandr Zubkov goal before half-time put them right back in the match. Karim Benzema had chances to put things to bed but the 2022 winners managed to get things over the line with just a one-goal scoreline.

READ MORE: RB Leipzig stunned by Celtic as Postecoglou's side shown how it's done on impressive youth away day

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Celtic meanwhile suffered at the hands of their German hosts, Andre Silva striking twice on top of a Christopher Nkunku goal to seal a Leipzig win after Jota's initial leveller.

The Hoops are bottom on one point, with the German club in third on three points and Shakhtar above them on four, with Ancelotti's team out in front on nine and likely to win this section, meaning second is the all but likely route for green and white progress.

Postecoglou's men have both Leipzig and the Ukrainians to come at Parkhead, victories in those two games putting them on seven points before a finale against Real Madrid on matchday six.

Dropped points in either of their home matches could prove costly to Celtic hopes of last 16 qualification while a major shock would be required in November if they were to take anything off Madrid.

READ NEXT:

- Ange Postecoglou in fresh Celtic exit link as Hoops boss and Sevilla leader 'wanted' by EPL club

- Christopher Jullien in scary post-Celtic moment as star struggles after 'tear gas' halts game

- Liel Abada explains Celtic tribute to teen after tragic death with reminder in dressing room

- RB Leipzig send Celtic 'power and energy' Champions League warning after 'really fun' scoring spree

- Olivier Ntcham sees red mist as former Celtic star 'got angry' before stunning Swansea solo goal

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