Andre Silva and Christopher Nkunku fire RB Leipzig past Celtic in UEFA Champions League
Andre Silva scored a second-half double to add to Christopher Nkunku's cool finish as RB Leipzig got their first UEFA Champions League win of the season at the expense of Celtic.
Determined to break the cycle after defeats to Group F defeats to Shakhtar Dontesk and Champions League holders Real Madrid, Leipzig set their stall out to attack as Nkunku shot just wide in the opening few miniutes. A serious-looking injury to goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi momentarily knocked Marco Rose's team off their stride, before Nkunku had a goal ruled out for offside. Janis Blaswich - Gulacsi's replacement - pulled off a sensational save to keep out a header from Kyogo Furuhashi, who saw his next attempt deflect wide off a Leipzig shirt. It was a case of third time lucky for the Nkunku in the 27th minute, when he rounded Joe Hart and slotted into the open net.
Leipzig's good work was undone soon after the restart as Furuhashi pounced on Timo Werner's lapse in concentration. He sent Jota clear, and the Celtic forward made made no mistake with his finish from 10 yards. The goal only served to poke the Leipzig bear, though, as Dominik Szoboszlai fired against the goal frame and had a 20-yard strike ruled out for an offside decision against Silva. The German Cup holders' next effort stood, with Szoboszlai setting up Silva for a cool finish off the inside of the upright. Hart's outstretched boot denied Silva soon after, but the Portugal striker had the final say. Nkunku's superb diagonal ball found Mohamed Simakan, who crossed for Silva to complete his brace from close range.
Match stats
Leipzig are a point behind second-placed Shakhtar, with three group games still to play.
Nkunku has scored eight goals in his last nine Champions League appearances.
Silva has scored four times this season (two braces in non-Bundesliga competition).
Szoboszlai has two assists in this season's Champions League.
Rose recorded his third win five matches as Leipzig head coach (L2).
Champions League Matchday 3 Matchday 3 Red Bull Arena
90'
+ 5
GAME OVER !
That's it! Leipzig pick up a huge three points in Champions League Group F, their first win in the section. Marco Rose's men are up to third place in the group.
90'
TIME ADDED ON
There will be five minutes extra to play here. Leipzig have this one in the bag.
87'
FORSBERG DENIES
Forsberg thwacks a shot from close range that pummels Hart in the chest. It goes down as a save but Joe Hart didn't know a lot about that.
84'
LEIPZIG ALMOST THERE
Leipzig are running down the clock here, taking time over throw ins and what not. Celtic look understandably deflated. The visitors have had their chances in this game, but it's Leipzig who have taken theirs.
What a brilliant goal this is! A searching, cross field pass from Nkunku reaches Simakan, who connects with a superlative volleyed pass with his instep, sending the ball square for Silva who takes a touch before applying a finish. Sensational!
It suddenly looks like a Leipzig three v one until Joe Hart races to the edge of the area and grabs hold of the ball. That would surely have been game over had the keeper not arrived on time.
71'
LEIPZIG CHANGES
Double swap for the hosts with Haidara and Forsberg entering the action. Werner and Kampl make way.
Hart this time rescues Celtic with a stop from Silva, who is now hungry for his second of the night.
64'
LEIPZIG LEAD
Amazing ! Just as the Celtic fans were celebrating that disallowed goal, Joe Hart hands Leipzig the lead. A terrible pass out from the back by the Celtic keeper goes straight to Szoboszlai who immediately finds Andre Silva. The Portuguese rolls a calm finish into the corner and the hosts are in front!
So close for Leipzig, who see Timo Werner batter a post from close range with a snap shot. Fine margins.
55'
SILVA SEARCHING
Andre Silva has a sniff at goal, which Joe Hart snuffs out. Better from the hosts, though, who are looking a little stunned after that earlier equaliser.
51'
LEIPZIG CHALLENGE
That was Jota's first ever Champions League goal and, from a Leipzig point of view, it was avoidable. Big test for Marco Rose's team now.
49'
CELTIC LEVEL
Celtic are back on terms. Leipzig's defence splits wide open to allow the hosts through, and Furuhashi takes full advantage, waltzing in on the left before rolling the ball across to Jota who finished with ease.
Celtic kick off the second 45 minutes. Can Leipzig press home a second or will the Bhoys manage to pull level? We're about to find out.
45'
+ 7
HALF TIME !
Leipzig lead at the break thanks to a sumptuous Christopher Nkunku finish. It's been a cracking first half with chances aplenty. The hosts, of course, will be the happier of the teams.
45'
+ 1
SILVA STRIKE
Werner plays a brilliant volley pass in for Silva, who races towards goal, cuts back outside and then scuffs a low shot at the target. Hart saves handily enough.
44'
ADDED TIME
We'll have seven minutes of time added on here at the end of the first half.
43'
WERNER MISSES
Werner races onto the most delicious of Nkunku back heels and drills low at goal. Hart saves with his legs. There is a flag up on the far side, however. Werner was inches offside.
39'
FURUHASHI CHANCE
Some good work from Jota who pops up an interesting pass for Furuhashi. The Japanese heads at the target and misses by inches. Blaswich had that one covered.
39'
LEIPZIG PROBING
Simakan and Nkunku combine well. The former looks to create some space out wide before cutting infield. His cross takes a nick and loops into Hart's arms.
Celtic will be furious with themselves. Just prior to Nkunku's goal, the Bhoys probably should have taken the lead with Jenz and Kyogo spurning decent chances for the visitors. As it stands, the home fans are bouncing.
28'
GOAL LEIPZIG!
Nkunku's goal counts this time! Following a good spell of Celtic pressure, Leipzig break with the ball played through by Silva for Nkunku. The France international keeps his cool to round the 'keeper and slot in a superb finish.
Furuhashi with a wicked shot at goals. Blaswich makes a fine stop from close range.
18'
NO GO NKUNKU
Christopher Nkunku has a goal ruled out for offside. The France attacker raced clean through after accepting Simakan's through pass and applies a delightful chipped finish. But it won't count.
15'
SIMAKAN MENACING
Simakan gets on to a looping pass over the top but can only direct the ball into the arms of Joe hart.
14'
GULACSI STRETCHERED OFF
Terrible news for Gulacsi, who is stretchered off. Fingers crossed for the goalkeeper but he looks to have done some serious damage to his knee. Janis Blaswich is on.
This does not look goof for Leipzig's Gulacsi. The home goalkeeper was in a bit of a pickle due to an errant pass and in an attempt to rescue the situation, he badly twists his knee and goes down in a heap .... there's no way Die Roten Bullen's shot stopper is continuing here.
8'
LEIPZIG SET PIECE
Szoboszlai stands for an age over a free kick in an interesting position but the Hungarian attacker can only find the wall with his subsequent strike.
5'
GULACSI SAVES
Jota has a pop from distance but a deflection takes all the sting out of the ball and Gulacsi gathers with ease.
5'
CELTIC GROWING
Celtic regroup and start to ping the ball around a bit, looking for openings. The visitors are being loudly cheered on by 4,000 visiting fans.
2'
LEIPZIG ON THE MOVE
What a start from Leipzig! Joe Hart is immediately drawn into a save from Werner while just moments later, Nkunku heads inches wide of the upright. The hosts starting with a bang here.
1'
GAME ON
Away we go in Leipzig. It's a huge night for the hosts who ideally want to pick up all three points on offer here.
HERE WE GO !
We've had the Champions League anthem and the handshakes and we're all set. Settle in for what promises to be an exciting evening.
TEAMS IN TUNNEL
The atmosphere at the Red Bull Arena is electric as we await the teams to take the field. Kick off is just moments away !
ROSE'S PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Here's Leipzig coach Marco Rose keeping things nice and simple ahead of kick off: "If we play with a lot of energy, power and passion as well as playing brave football, then there is a high probability that we will be rewarded with the three points. If that is not the case, it will be really difficult to get through the group phase."
CELTIC TEAM NEWS
It's as you were for Celtic, who pick the same starting XI to that which began the 2-1 weekend win against Motherwell. Kyogo Furuhashi and Reo Hatate were both on target in a victory that kept the Bhoys on top of the Scottish Premier League on Saturday and both are on from the off here.
LEIPZIG TEAM NEWS
Leipzig's big win against Bochum at the weekend impressed coach Marco Rose to such an extent that he makes just one change to his team. The 46-year-old has opted for David Raum over Marcel Halstenberg at full back. André Silva, meanwhile, leads the line with Timo Werner, Christopher Nkunku and Dominik Szoboszlai in support.
Prior to this evening's Matchday 3 game, the hosts enjoyed a solid 4-0 win against Bochum at the weekend, with Timo Werner and Christopher Nkunku both netting twice to give coach Marco a Rose a second win in his short spell in charge of Die Roten Bullen to date.
PRESSURE ON RBL
It's early days in the competition, of course, but facts are facts: Leipzig are bottom of a tough section following two straight defeats. Considering Real Madrid (6 points) and Shakhtar Donetsk (4 points) are also in this group, it really behoves Leipzig to beat Celtic this evening. Today's visitors to the Red Bull Arena are second from bottom on one point.
WELCOME ALONG !
A very warm welcome on this October afternoon to what promises to be an intriguing night of Champions League action for our Bundesliga clubs. You can follow all the ins and outs of Leipzig's crucial Group F game against Celtic right here. Just don't forget the earlier kick off time of 18:45 CET!
