Celtic saw a first half penalty saved before being blown away by an exhibition of attacking football in the Bernabeu, as Real Madrid topped their Champions League group in style.
Josip Juranovic had his spot kick saved by Thibaut Courtois, after Carlo Ancelotti’s team had converted two early penalties of their own through Luka Modric and Rodrygo.
The home side soon extinguished any hope of a comeback with a scintillating second half performance, as Marco Asensio, Vinicius Junior and Fede Valverde all found the net.
Second half substitute Jota scored a stunning consolation free kick with five minutes remaining, giving the thousands of travelling Hoops fans something to cheer.
Celtic travelled to the Madrid looking to emulate their famous 1-0 win of 1967, in Alfredo di Stefano’s testimonial match.
Ange Postecoglou’s men got off to the worst possible start, as a loose ball struck the hand of the helpless Moritz Jenz in the box and the home side were awarded a penalty.
Veteran midfielder Luka Modric stepped up and calmly dispatched past Joe Hart to give the home fans the perfect start, to what they hoped would be a successful evening.
The visitors had an opportunity to level the scores 10 minutes later, but Kyogo’s lunge at the back post inadvertently took the ball away from Liel Abada who looked certain to score.
Los Blancos were then awarded a second penalty before the 20-minute mark, this time Matt O’Riley handling in the area. Rodrygo took responsibility and converted for 2-0.
The two early goals did nothing to dull the ambitions of either side and both Vinicius Junior and Kyogo will have felt as though they should have found the net as the half hour mark approached.
Astonishingly Celtic then got a penalty of their own, after Liel Abada was fouled in the box by Ferland Mendy.
Josip Juranovic couldn’t find a way past Thibaut Courtois however, unlike his Croatian counterpart Modric, and Celtic remained two behind at the break.
It took Real Madrid just five minutes of the second half to get back on the scoresheet. This time Marco Asensio drove a half volley into the bottom right-hand corner to kill off any hope Celtic might have had of a miraculous fightback.
As the clock struck the hour mark, Real Madrid got their fourth of the evening through Vincius Junior. The Brazilian got ahead of Carl Starfelt and tapped in a driven ball across the box, as the home side looked to secure top spot in style.
The visitors were still creating chances, despite the game being well over as a contest. Portuguese winger Jota came off the bench and almost instantaneously saw his driven shot palmed away by Courtois.
Not to be left out, Fede Valverde then got in on the action as Real made it five. The Uruguayan side footed a stunning effort past Joe Hart from the edge of the box, as the showcase of attacking football continued at the Scottish champions’ expense.
Celtic did eventually find the net with five minutes left on the clock. Jota, who had looked lively since his introduction, scored a free kick from outside the area that wouldn’t have looked out of place amongst the Madrid goals.
