Duran double edges Celtic closer to Champions League
Celtic Seal Champions League Qualifying Edge with 3-0 Rout of LASK Linz
Bharatmorningnews.com – Scottish title holders Celtic moved decisively toward the Champions League group stages after dismantling Austrian champions LASK Linz 3-0 at Parkhead on Wednesday. The comprehensive first-leg victory in the qualifying play-off leaves the visitors needing a miracle next Tuesday in Linz to overturn the deficit.
Goal-by-Goal Breakdown
The match opened with a scare for Celtic when Moses Usor found the net within the first minute, only for the goal to be waved away on an offside call. Celtic settled quickly, however, and Benjamin Nygren broke the deadlock in the 26th minute by collecting the ball on the edge of the penalty area and curling it into the top corner.
Twelve minutes later, Colombian forward Camilo Duran — a summer arrival from Qarabag — extended the advantage with a powerful volley from the edge of the box that sailed past LASK goalkeeper Lukas Jungwirth. Duran completed his double in the 67th minute, exchanging a quick one-two with Nygren before slotting home his second of the evening.
O'Neill's Reaction
"It was a great result for us tonight, but there is a long way to go."
Manager Martin O'Neill praised his Colombian striker's display after the final whistle.
"A brilliant player. We spotted him way back some time ago and tried to get him earlier than we did."
"I'm not saying he was a world-class player, but that was a world-class performance."
Elsewhere in European Qualifying
Bodo/Glimt, who reached the Champions League last 16 last season with notable victories over Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, and Inter Milan, also advanced strongly with a 3-1 away win at Dutch club Nijmegen. In other fixtures, Hapoel Be'er Sheva held a 2-1 home advantage over Sabah Baku, while Slovan Bratislava could only manage a 1-1 draw at home against Celje.
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