Celtic qualify after penalty shoot-out
Boruc was the hero for Celtic in the penalty shoot-out
Also In The News
|
EMI, out now
In a nutshell. |  |
Wednesday, 29, Aug 2007 11:17
Celtic qualified for the group stages of the Champions League after winning a dramatic penalty shoot-out 4-3 against Spartak Moscow.
The tie was level at 1-1 on the night and 2-2 on aggregate meaning extra-time was required. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink missed a spot-kick during extra-time forcing the game to go the distance.
The Scottish champions claimed victory with a 4-3 win in the shoot-out after Artur Boruc saved from Maksim Kalinichenko.
It was a frenzied affair at Celtic Park and both sides were guilty of missing chances to win the match inside 90 minutes.
The Russians were awarded a penalty after 25 minutes when Gary Caldwell was adjudged to have handled in the area.
However Roman Pavluchenko could only strike the upright and the home side were quick to take advantage.
Two minutes later Scott McDonald opened the scoring with a neat volley from 12 yards out.
But Spartak equalised just before half-time. Santos Batista Mozart broke down the right wing and crossed a deep ball from the bye-line which deceived the Celtic defence and Pavluchenko was on hand to tap home.
Vennegoor of Hesselink and Shunsuke Nakamura both had chances one-on-one with the goalkeeper in the second half but fired tamely into his chest on each occasion.
With six minutes remaining the Dutchman broke free again but Martin Stranzl brought him down on the edge of the area and was sent off for the challenge.
Nakamura could not capitalise from the free-kick and the game went into extra-time.
The home side had the best of the extra period and should have ended matters when they were awarded a penalty. However Vennegoor of Hesselink's thunderous spot-kick hit the bar.
Thankfully for the Bhoys his effort in the shoot-out was much better and with the help of Boruc they joined Rangers in the Champions League draw.
Elsewhere Arsenal cruised through to the group stages after beating Sparta Prague 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium to complete a 5-0 victory on aggregate.
Tomas Rosicky scored his first goal of the season after seven minutes to calm the Gunners nerves early on.
The Czech international was on hand after Theo Walcott broke down the right flank and cut the ball back to the penalty spot for the on-rushing midfielder to finish.
The home side were in control of the tie from then on and were able to starve their opponents of possession and goal-scoring opportunities.
The Gunners added two more goals late in the game. Cesc Fabregas came off the bench to volley home the second and Croatian international Eduardo da Silva scored the third a minute before full-time.