Celtic’s unbeaten start came to a shuddering halt as they were thoroughly outclassed by a rampant Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League. Inspired by the electric Karim Adeyemi, who netted a lethal hat-trick, Dortmund dismantled the Scottish champions 7-1, leaving Brendan Rodgers’ men with a harsh lesson on Europe’s biggest stage.
A Shaky Start for Celtic
The match began in a frenzy, with Celtic looking to extend their unbeaten streak, but their hopes were quickly dashed by an aggressive Borussia Dortmund side. Within minutes, the German side took the lead through Emre Can, who coolly converted a penalty following a clumsy challenge by Celtic’s defense.
Celtic responded almost immediately, showing the same spirit that had kept them undefeated in both domestic and European competitions so far this season. Daizen Maeda, known for his speed and tireless work rate, found the back of the net with a well-placed strike, leveling the score at 1-1. For a brief moment, it seemed as though the Scottish champions might make a contest out of the fixture.
Adeyemi’s Brilliance Unleashed
Unfortunately for Celtic, that moment of respite was fleeting. Borussia Dortmund, led by the blistering pace and clinical finishing of Karim Adeyemi, soon took control of the match. Adeyemi was simply unplayable, terrorizing Celtic’s backline with his speed and movement. His first goal came after a superb solo run, where he effortlessly bypassed multiple defenders before slotting the ball past Celtic’s goalkeeper.
As Celtic struggled to contain him, Adeyemi capitalized once again, doubling his tally with a precise finish from inside the box. His hat-trick was completed shortly before halftime, as he combined with Felix Nmecha in a lightning-quick counter-attack, leaving Celtic’s defenders in his wake. The 21-year-old’s performance was a reminder of his burgeoning potential as one of Europe’s brightest young talents.
Dortmund’s Dominance Continues
With Adeyemi running the show, Dortmund showed no mercy to their Scottish visitors. Serhou Guirassy added to Celtic’s misery, converting from the spot after another defensive lapse in the penalty area. The striker’s penalty gave Dortmund a commanding 4-1 lead, and it wasn’t long before he added his second of the night, tapping in a rebound from close range to make it 5-1 before the halftime whistle.
At halftime, Celtic were left shell-shocked, trailing by a four-goal margin. The speed, precision, and attacking ruthlessness displayed by Borussia Dortmund had left Brendan Rodgers’ side struggling to keep up, with Celtic’s defense appearing overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of the German side’s play.
A Tough Second Half for Celtic
Although Dortmund’s intensity dropped slightly in the second half, the damage had already been done. Celtic made a few adjustments in an attempt to stem the tide, but they were unable to regain any foothold in the game. Guirassy, having already scored twice, came close to completing his hat-trick, but it was Felix Nmecha who added to Celtic’s woes by scoring Dortmund’s sixth goal.
By this point, Dortmund were content to control the game and limit Celtic’s opportunities. With the visitors looking out of ideas, it became a matter of game management for Dortmund as they waited patiently for any further opportunities. That opportunity came late in the match, when Nmecha again combined well with Adeyemi to break down the Celtic defense and seal the 7-1 victory.
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