Celtic record historic win over Barcelona
Reuters - Wednesday 07 November 2012, 21:40
Victor Wanyama and teenager Tony Watt scored each side of half-time to
earn Celtic a memorable 2-1 victory over Barcelona in their Champions
League Group G clash at Celtic Park on Wednesday.
Kenyan
midfielder Wanyama headed past Victor Valdes in the 21st minute with
Celtic's only effort of the first half while Lionel Messi and Alexis
Sanchez were both denied by the woodwork.
Celtic
goalkeeper Fraser Forster repulsed Messi in the second period before
Watt latched on to a long clearance from Forster to score in the 83rd
minute.
Messi netted in the
first minute of extra time but it was too late for Barcelona who slipped
to just their second defeat under Tito Vilanova.
Barcelona
controlled the ball from the start and were close to an early
breakthrough when Xavi's shot was deflected by Alexis Sanchez only for
Forster to make the save.
Against
the run of play, the hosts took the lead with their only effort on goal
in the opening period. Charlie Mulgrew's corner to the far post was met
by Wanyama, who climbed higher than Jordi Alba to head in.
Messi
came close to an equaliser when he cut infield and swapped passes with
Andres Iniesta before his shot glanced against the bar.
Daniel Alves also sent a cross to the far post and Sanchez's header beat Forster but came back off the inside of the post.
The hosts managed a second chance just before the hour when Mikael Lustig's header was easily gathered by Victor Valdes.
But Forster pulled off a fine double save from Sanchez after the Chilean winger had been played through by Messi.
Argentina forward Messi saw a thumping effort pushed away by Forster and Iniesta's 25-metre effort flew well wide of the goal.
With
five minutes remaining, Xavi missed Forster's long clearance and
18-year-old Watt broke clear to score with a low shot. The visitors
finally scored when Pedro's effort was pushed away by Forster and Messi
touched in during added time.