Celtic remain hopeful despite Benfica Europa League loss

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 09:32 · Archive

Celtic lost 4-1 to Benfica in the Europa League despite an improved second-half display.

Celtic suffered a 4-1 defeat to Benfica in the Europa League but manager Martin O'Neill remains optimistic about their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages. The loss leaves Celtic with no points from six in the league phase, following an earlier 3-1 home defeat to Ferencvaros.

Benfica's Jhon Duran converted a penalty kick just five minutes into the match after Celtic defender Dane Murray brought him down, before doubling his tally in the 35th minute. Alexander Bah had struck earlier for Benfica. Celtic pulled one back through Camilo Duran in the 63rd minute, but Benfica substitute Vangelis Pavlidis added a fourth with two minutes remaining.

O'Neill praised his team's second-half performance, saying: 'We could have capitulated, but I thought the second-half performance was really terrific. It was a game of two halves. We created chance after chance, we should have scored more goals.' He added that Celtic 'can still qualify' with six matches remaining in the competition.

How it is being reported

• Martin O'Neill remaining upbeat about Celtic's chances of European progressionCeltic manager Martin O'Neill was 'delighted' with the Hoops' second-half performance in their 4-1 Europa League defeat by Benfica, insisting they can still qualify for the knockout stagesBelfast Live · 16 Oct, 09:07
• Martin O’Neill has fingers crossed Camilo Duran will be available for Celtic’s trip to BenficaBelfast Telegraph · 14 Oct, 20:54

In this story: Martin O'Neill · Celtic · Benfica · Jhon Duran · Camilo Duran · Vangelis Pavlidis · Lisbon

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem