RB Salzburg vs Chelsea Champions League result and reaction as Chelsea qualify for knockout stage - live
RB Salzburg 1-2 Chelsea: Goals from Mateo Kovacic and Kai Havertz see Blues book their spot int he kockouts with a game to spare
Kai Havertz’s brilliant second-half goal earned Chelsea a 2-1 win at RB Salzburg which booked their place in the Champions League knockout stages.
The Germany international curled in a stunning effort midway through the second half to decide a testing evening in Austria and extend Graham Potter’s unbeaten start to his Blues reign to nine games.
The Premier League side had gone ahead through a fine strike by Mateo Kovacic and only a string of saves by impressive home goalkeeper Philipp Kohn stopped it being a rout at half-time.
The Austrian side levelled early in the second half through Junior Adamu’s superb breakaway effort as Chelsea looked in peril. Havertz had the final say, though, winning the match in style and sending his side through with his 20-yard effort that found the top corner.
Chelsea will top Group E if Dinamo Zagreb fail to beat AC Milan in the late kick-off. Relive the action as Chelsea beat RB Salzburg in the Champions League:
Celtic 0-0 Shakhtar
30 mins: Opportunity for Celtic now. Giakoumakis dribbles his way down the right side and cuts inside of Mykola Matviyenko who takes him out before he gets into the box.
Haksabanovic delivers the free kick but Matviyenko rectifies his error by hooking the ball away at the near post.
Celtic 0-0 Shakhtar
27 mins: Matt O’Riley has a dart from outside the box but curls his effort wide of the post.
Shakhtar sends a few passes around the back line before launching the ball up the pitch for Mudryk to chase down but it’s too heavy for him and Joe Hart beats him to the loose ball.
Celtic 0-0 Shakhtar
24 mins: Better from the home side! Juranovic pushes forward on the right and brings the ball deep into Shakhtar’s half before curling a cross into the middle of the box.
Giakoumakis leaps in front of his marker but the pressure from the defender means he can’t get a controlling head to the ball and only manages to glance it wide of the target.
Celtic 0-0 Shakhtar
21 mins: Liel Abada cuts inside from the right and lays the ball off to Matt O’Riley who floats a cross over to the left wing and expertly picks out Haksabanovic.
He controls the ball on the left edge of the box but goes nowhere with it and sends the ball backwards.
Celtic 0-0 Shakhtar
18 mins: Close! Celtic have been pushed back over the last five minutes or so and Shakhtar get the ball into the penalty area once again.
Mudryk curls a cross in from the left wing and almost picks out Sudakov at the back post but Mortiz Jenz jumps in front of the forward and heads the ball out for a corner.
Celtic 0-0 Shakhtar
15 mins: Panic stations for Celtic! Georgiy Sudakov brings the ball into the box but Josip Juranovic takes the ball off him and sends it into midfield.
Celtic lose it again almost immediately and Sudakov is given it back. He dinks it up to Mykhailo Mudryk who shoulders past Cameron Carter-Vickers, avoids another tackle and looks to shoot only for Greg Taylor to come across and plant himself between the forward and the ball.
Solid defending from the left back who also works the ball clear.
Celtic 0-0 Shakhtar
12 mins: Close! Valeriy Bondar comes to the rescue for Shakhtar after Celtic move the ball fluidly in and around the box. Hatate drifts into the area and has the ball flicked over to him after a couple of short, sharp passes.
He looks to volley it across to Haksabanovic who would have a free shot at goal but Bondar intercepts the ball and the visitors boot it clear.
Celtic 0-0 Shakhtar
9 mins: Chance! Kyogo drops deeper and receives the ball before darting inside and sliding a fine pass up to Hatate. He squares it to Giakoumakis who takes a touch and lifts his shot high over the crossbar from outside the penalty area.
Celtic 0-0 Shakhtar
6 mins: It’s been a bright start from Celtic who look to press very high up the pitch through Kyogo, Saed Haksabanovic and Giorgos Giakoumakis.
Shakhtar are a confident side though and knock the ball around the back before beating the press of the Celtic attackers.
Celtic 0-0 Shakhtar
3 mins: Decent chance for Celtic early on as Reo Hatate sends Liel Abada shuffling into the right side of the penalty area but there’s a defender in close to him and he manages to block the shot when it comes in.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments