A stunning second half free kick from Marcos Senna gave Villareal a crucial 1-0 win over Scottish giants Celtic in a Group E Champions League encounter on Tuesday night at El Madrigal. In the other Group E fixture, Manchester United beat Aalborg 3-0, with Dimitar Berbatov grabbing a brace.
Gordon Strachan swapped his 4-4-2 for a 4-2-3-1, with Greek striker Samaras playing alone upfront, and Shaun Maloney and Aiden McGeady on the wings. The Hoops played well in the first half, and had a glorious chance to go ahead just before the break, but Villareal goalkeeper Diego Lopez denied Samaras after a moment of madness from Submarines defender Godin.
The second half began at a frenetic pace, and Villareal started to wear their opponents down as it progressed. The defining moment of the game came when Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai awarded the hosts a freekick after deciding that Paul Hartley had fouled Joseba Llorente. Senna converted, and Villareal were 1-0 ahead. Celtic manager Strachan later said that he did not feel that Hartley had committed a foul.
Scott McDonald nearly had the equaliser for the Hoops after coming on as a substitute for Shaun Maloney. He fired a volley inches above the bar after being fed by McGeady. Villareal held on to their one goal lead, and the match ended 1-0.
Celtic are now third in the group with one point from two games, and now face Manchester United in their next two group games.
Celtic starting XI:– Boruc, Wilson, McManus, Hartley, Caldwell, Naylor, Nakamura, McGeady, Maloney, Brown, Samaras
Subs used :- McDonald, Vennegoor of Hesselink, Robson
Villareal starting XI:– Lopez, Angel, Rodriguez, Godin, Cazorla, Rossi, Capdevila, Pires, Egueren, Senna, Llorente
Subs used:- Cani, Ibagaza, Bruno