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Celtic beaten again in Europa League as Benfica prove too good

Celtic’s Europa League campaign stumbled further in Lisbon as Benfica secured a commanding 4-1 victory, extending the Scots’ woes with back-to-back defeats in the group stage. Defensive lapses proved costly early, with Dane Murray’s clumsy challenge in a crowded box sparking a penalty that Jhon Duran converted with a composed panenka.

Alexander Bah doubled the lead after Sebastian Tounekti’s poor defensive positioning, before Duran completed his hat-trick from an improbable angle, leaving Celtic’s backline rattled. Camilo Duran’s late consolation reduced the deficit, though his earlier post-strike and a flurry of woodwork from teammates underscored the visitors’ frustration against a resolute Benfica side.

The result in the same city where Celtic triumphed in the 1976 European Cup final marked a stark contrast, with manager Martin O’Neill’s side struggling to contain Benfica’s clinical finishing and defensive organization.

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