Thumping win sends Madrid into last 16 as group leaders

Real Madrid emphatically beat Celtic at the Santiago Bernabéu in the final game of the Champions League group stage. Two penalties by Modrić and Rodrygo and a saved spot-kick by Courtois put the Whites on course for the victory in the first half. Asensio, Vini Jr. and Valverde sealed the three points after the break, as Madrid topped Group F and will go into the draw for the last 16 on 7 November as group winners.
 
Despite the visitors’ high pressing, the hosts opened the scoring early on. A through ball by Asensio found Rodrygo, whose shot was block by Hart. The rebound fell to Valverde inside the area and his effort struck the hand of Jenz. The referee awarded a penalty, which Modrić duly converted to make it 1-0. In the 16^th minute, Valverde then fizzed in a shot from the edge of the area, before Celtic replied immediately with a fierce strike from Hatate which also missed the target.
 
Rodrygo doubles the lead
Ancelotti’s side were now firmly in control and doubled their lead on 21’. Modrić played a fine pass in behind the defence to Asensio, who shifted the ball on to Vini Jr, but the Brazilian was denied from point-blank range by Hart and in the follow-up, Rodrygo fired the ball against O’Riley’s arm. After consulting the VAR, the referee went to the screen to check the incident and subsequently awarded another spot-kick. This time Rodrygo slotted the ball in to make 2-0 and claim his third goal of this season’s Champions League

Real Madrid were hungry for more and came close a minute later as Vini Jr's shot flashed just over. Before the interval, Abada was brought down by Mendy inside the box and Juranović's penalty was spectacularly saved by Courtois. The Belgian was immense in goal having kept out Furuhashi's shot beforehand with an impressive save.
 
Asensio and Vini Jr. took centre stage
It was business as usual for the Whites after the break as Asensio grabbed Madrid's third goal of the game in the 51st minute. The Balearic-born player finished with his left foot from Carvajal's pull back. Valverde was in the thick of the action just past the hour mark when he delivered a fierce cross and Vini Jr. got in front of his marker to beat Hart and make it 4-0.
 
The team were on fire and soon made it 5-0. Lucas Vázquez picked out Valverde, who fired home from just outside the area leaving the Celtic goalkeeper with no chance (71'). Celtic pulled one back with ten minutes to go when Jota struck a free-kick into the top corner to make it 5-1.