Soccer / uefa league of nations

Nicolas Kuhn Dazzles as Celtic Rally to Defeat RB Leipzig Celtic's Nicolas Kuhn delivered an inspired performance as the Scottish champions staged a thrilling comeback against Germany's RB Leipzig, securing their third consecutive Champions League victory in front of a lively Celtic Park crowd. Buoyed by a recent six-goal League Cup demolition of Aberdeen and a hard-fought draw against Atalanta, Celtic fans arrived with high hopes, undeterred by Leipzig’s top-seed status. Celtic met expectations with a fiery start, only to be momentarily deflated when Christoph Baumgartner’s deft header from a corner gave Leipzig an early lead. Get Paid to Read Your Fave Books! Celtic had previously faltered in 27 of their last 28 Champions League games after falling behind, but this time they mounted a spirited comeback.. Continuing his stellar form—with 17 goal contributions in just 15 games prior to this match—Kuhn curled in a spectacular strike off the post to equalize. Moments before the break, Kuhn struck again, slotting a precise shot from just outside the six-yard box following a miscue from Daizen Maeda, setting Celtic firmly in control. Second-Half Dominance and Hatate’s Decisive Strike After halftime, Celtic maintained their high tempo, keeping Leipzig on the defensive. Reo Hatate, brilliant in midfield, hammered in a third goal, sealing a commanding win and marking Celtic’s second group-stage victory of the season. Celtic’s Tactical Masterclass and Kuhn’s Standout Display In their last Champions League encounter with a German side, Celtic suffered a bruising defeat to Dortmund. This time, however, they seemed to have absorbed the lesson. Right from kickoff, Celtic pressed Leipzig relentlessly, offering them little space to regroup. Nicolas Kuhn, an alumnus of the RB Leipzig academy, showcased his skill and creativity, playing with flair on the right wing. The 24-year-old German displayed exceptional composure, leaving his former club reeling under his control. Celtic, as a unit, put Leipzig—a team sitting second in the Bundesliga—through their paces, exposing their weaknesses. Kuhn exited the field to thunderous applause, passing the torch to Reo Hatate, who continued the dominant performance. This victory gave Celtic three consecutive home wins in the Champions League for the first time in 17 years, rekindling memories of their past European fortress. Leipzig Struggles as Celtic Exposes Their Flaws For Leipzig, this game was a must-win. The German media billed the match as a critical opportunity to revive their Champions League hopes. With earlier matches against European heavyweights Atletico Madrid, Juventus, and Liverpool, the trip to Celtic Park was intended to turn their fortunes around. Instead, Leipzig appeared unsettled by Celtic’s high press. Though currently near the top of the Bundesliga, Leipzig failed to match the tempo and tenacity of Celtic’s attack. Benjamin Sesko, usually a key player for Leipzig, was notably absent from impactful play, leaving Leipzig vulnerable. With a challenging road ahead against teams like Inter Milan, Sporting, and Aston Villa, Leipzig will need a dramatic turnaround to advance past the group stage. Key Match Stats - Celtic secured three consecutive home wins in the Champions League for the first time since November 2007 under manager Gordon Strachan. Since VfB Stuttgart’s losses in the 2007-08 season, RB Leipzig has become the latest German team to drop their first four Champions League matches. - Nicolas Kuhn made history as the first Celtic player to score twice in the first half of a Champions League or European Cup match since Roy Aitken in 1979. - Celtic have tallied nine goals so far in this Champions League campaign, their highest since scoring 13 in the 1977-78 season. - Kuhn has now contributed to 19 goals this season (nine goals, 10 assists), seven more than any other Celtic player. - Kasper Schmeichel, at 38 years old, joined David Seaman as the oldest player to feature in a Champions League match on his birthday, tying Seaman's record from 2001. This commanding victory signifies a statement from Celtic, highlighting their renewed strength and hinting at the potential for further success in this Champions League campaign. FootballMultiplier