Larsson scores on return to Celtic as Barca win
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-09-15 09:45

Barcelona striker Henrik Larsson marked his return to Celtic with his side's third goal in an impressive 3-1 win against the Scottish champions in Tuesday's Champions League Group F opener.

 The Swede -- who left Celtic three months ago as the club's third highest scorer of all-time with 242 goals from 315 games -- came on in the second half and scored in the 82nd minute to end the home's side three-year unbeaten home record in Europe.

 Celtic fought back bravely after being outclassed in the first half as Deco's 19th minute strike gave Barca a deserved lead at the break.

 Celtic goalkeeper David Marshall enjoyed an inspired night as he stopped Ronaldinho's 55th minute penalty and made several other superb stops to keep Barca out.

 Substitute Chris Sutton brought Celtic level on 59 minutes but Ludovic Giuly's deflected 77th minute goal knocked the stuffing out of the home side before Larsson finished them off.

 Celtic's unbeaten home run in Europe had lasted 19 matches since they lost to Ajax Amsterdam in a Champions League qualifier in August, 2001.

 

Barcelona's Ronaldhino (C) is challenged by Celtic's Neil Lennon in the Champions League Group F socccer match at Celtic Park in Glasgow, September 14, 2004. Barcelona won the match 3-1. [Reuters]

Barca, seeking their first win over a Scottish side since they beat Celtic in the 1964 Fairs Cup, refused to be intimidated by what was a physical confrontation as their pace overwhelmed Celtic for long spells.

 Marshall produced a sublime performance in Celtic's UEFA Cup win against Barcelona last season and made a number of fine saves to stop them finishing his side off before halftime.

 He saved from Juliano Belletti and Giovanni van Bronckhorst while Ronaldinho fired wide in the opening 10 minutes as Barca's pace and subtlety of touch proved elusive.

 NO SURPRISE

 Ronaldinho then played in Deco who struck a powerful opening goal which was hardly a surprise given the visitors' domination.

 The gap in class was all too apparent -- Celtic spending 1.5 million pounds ($2.70 million) to Barca's 45 million in the close season -- and the visitors' new signings Belletti, Giuly, Samuel Eto'o and Deco all helped carve through the home side.

 Marshall remained a defiant figure as he saved from Ronaldinho after 21 minutes and then Giuly three minutes before the break and then the former Monaco forward was denied by a desperate Bobo Balde tackle after rounding Marshall.

 Celtic's only clear first-half chance arrived seconds later when Victor Valdes saved from midfielder Alan Thompson and their response saw Sutton replace Juninho at the break.

 That proved a pivotal decision as the game turned on its head inside three minutes with Marshall again Celtic's inspiration.

 Barca won a penalty after 54 minutes when Giuly tumbled under pressure from Jackie McNamara but Marshall brilliantly saved Ronaldinho's kick and four minutes later Sutton dragged Celtic level.

 Henri Camara scampered down the right flank and his cross saw Sutton slide in to score via the post.

 Larsson was brought on to replace Ronaldinho on 62 minutes but Celtic were suddenly transformed and only a magnificent Valdes save kept out Stilian Petrov's stinging volley.

 Their fight back seemed to have earned a draw until Giuly drove a deflected shot beyond Marshall for the winner with McNamara carried off suffering from a suspected broken leg after trying to block his effort.

 Larsson completed Barca's victory when Thompson left a backward header short allowing the Swede to chip the ball over Marshall before slipping it into the net.

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