Champions League round-up: 'Magnificent' away win for Celtic against Spartak Moscow
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Your support makes all the difference.Neil Lennon described himself as "probably the proudest man in Europe" after Celtic's historic 3-2 Champions League victory over Spartak Moscow in the Luzhniki Stadium last night.
Georgios Samaras's last-minute header gave Celtic their first win away from home in the group stages of European football's elite club competition and it was a deserved victory for Lennon's side.
Gary Hooper gave the visitors the lead in the 12th minute before Emmanuel Emenike netted twice for the Russian club, once either side of the break. Spartak defender Juan Insaurralde was sent off just after the hour mark for preventing Hooper going clean through on goal before Celtic levelled after a drive from substitute James Forrest deflected in off Spartak captain Dmitri Kombarov. Celtic, though, refused to settle for the point and Samaras headed in an Emilio Izaguirre cross.
"I am probably the proudest man in Europe tonight," said Lennon. "I cannot speak highly enough of the players, they were magnificent. They played magnificent football at a very tough venue against an excellent side.
"I have to say I thought Gary Hooper was world class tonight. People keep asking me about him playing for England, well I think he showed how good he is tonight."
In the other game in Celtic's group, Barcelona won 2-0 at the Stadium of Light, Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fabregas scoring to see off Benfica but Sergio Busquets was sent off late on and Carles Puyol went off with what looked to be a dislocated elbow .
Juventus could not build on their fine draw at Chelsea as they were held 1-1 at home by Shakhtar Donetsk. In Manchester United's group, Braga picked up their first points with a 2-0 win at Galatasary. Bayern Munich were shocked 3-1 by BATE Borisov.
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