Celtic through despite defeat
Strachan can prepare for the knockout stages
Tuesday, 04, Dec 2007 11:41
Celtic have qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League despite slipping to a 1-0 defeat away to holders AC Milan.
The Scottish champions needed a point at the San Siro to be sure of progressing but were reprieved by Benfica's 2-1 win against their nearest rivals Shakhtar Donetsk.
With a draw enough to see both sides through there was little competitive bite to the game's first half.
A long-range effort from midfielder Jiri Jarosik found the midriff of goalkeeper Zeljiko Kalac in the visitor's solitary effort of the opening period.
However there was more entertainment after the break as both defences found themselves stretched.
Clarence Seedorf's surging run was picked out by Giuseppe Favalli's neat pass, but he squandered the chance with a wild slash that sent the ball well over the bar.
Scott Brown sent a shot bobbling wide in similar circumstances for Gordon Strachan's side, before Filippo Inzaghi contrived to miss the best chance of the night.
The Italian's header from six yards out arrowed straight into the gloves of Artur Boruc despite having the vast majority of the goal to aim at.
However he made no such mistake as he coolly slotted home a cut-back from Cafu to give his side the lead with 20 minutes remaining.
The scoreline could have been more convincingly in favour of the hosts but for a superb goalline intervention from the covering Evander Sno after Kaka has skipped past Boruc and looked certain to side-foot home a late second.