Scottish champions Celtic returned to the UEFA Champions League (UCL) scene with defeat following the home loss at the hands of defending champions Real Madrid when the two teams met in Glasgow on Tuesday night. Celtic and Real Madrid are two of the four teams in Group F and they met at Celtic Park earlier this week. Scottish champions Celtic are back in the Champions League for the first time in five seasons.

Celtic had been in sensational form this season until the Real Madrid game. Theywere on a seven-time winning run at the start of the season before the visit of Champions League holders Real Madrid. Celtic thrashed Rangers 4-0 at home in the Old Firm Derby in their last league games to make it six wins from six games in the Scottish Premiership this season thereby opening a five-point lead over Rangers at the summit. Also, Celtic beat hosts Ross County 4-1 in the second round of the Scottish League Cup to secure a place in the third round of the competition.

For the Real Madrid game, Celtic gave a good account of themselves especially in the first half. They were able to secure a goalless draw with Real Madrid at the end of the first half though the visitors were dealt a big blow when star player Karim Benzema failed to complete the first half due to a knee injury. The Frenchman is likely to miss the next three weeks as a result of the injury.
Without Benzema, Real Madrid scored three goals to win the game against Celtic. Brazilian star Vinicius Junior opened the scoring for Real Madrid eleven minutes into the second half before the lead was doubled by veteran Croatian star Luka Modric four minutes later off the assist from substitute Eden Hazard who came on for the aforementioned Benzema in the first half. Hazard sealed the win with the third Real Madrid goalon 70 minutes.
For their next game in Group F, Celtic are guests of Ukrainian side Shakthar Donetsk, while Real Madrid are at home to German side RB Leipzig.