MX23RW : Tuesday, November 26 21:50:35| >> :120:16991:16991:
[monks data]
Celtic logo
Champions League | Playoff Round
Aug 19, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Malmo

3-2

Griffiths (3', 61'), Bitton (10')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Inge Berget (52', 95')

Leigh Griffiths brace hands Celtic narrow advantage in Champions League playoff

Celtic secure a 3-2 victory over Malmo in their Champions League playoff clash at Celtic Park to take a one-goal lead into the second leg.

A brace from Leigh Griffiths has fired Celtic to a 3-2 win over Malmo in the first leg of their Champions League playoff, although a late goal from former player Jo Inge Berget dampened the mood at full time at Celtic Park.

Leigh Griffiths of Celtic celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League Qualifying Round Play off First Leg match between Celtic and Malmo FF at Celtic Park on AUGUST 19, 2015© Getty Images

The Bhoys took the lead in the third minute when Stefan Johansen collected the ball on the edge of the area and put a through-ball into the box for Leigh Griffiths to slot past Johan Wiland.

Celtic doubled their lead from a corner as Johansen was again the provider when he lifted the ball in from the right from a corner and Nir Bitton headed into the net from close range.

The visitors almost got a goal back when Vladmir Rodic latched on to a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area and drove a low effort at goal, but Craig Gordon palmed the ball past the post.

Celtic came close again just before the break when Stuart Armstrong was allowed to cut inside down the left and rifle an effort towards the top corner, but his strike sailed inches wide of the target.

In the second half, Malmo got back into the game when they hit the home side on the counter down the left and a cross to the back post found former Bhoy Inge Berget, who slammed a volley past Gordon.

The visitors almost drew level as Nikola Djurdjic brought the ball forward and was afforded space and time to power an effort at goal, but Gordon showed strong hands to punch the ball clear.

Ronny Deila's men notched their third goal of the evening as Griffiths scored his second goal with a looping header over Wiland, which found the net with the aid of the post after Anton Tinnerholm had failed to clear the danger from a cross into the box.

The Swedish club upped the ante in the final minutes of the game as five minutes of stoppage time were added. Inge Berget haunted his former team again as he struck in the 95th minute with a powerful volley after Celtic had failed to clear their lines from a corner into the box.

The late goal leaves the tie in the balance as Malmo hold two away goals over the Bhoys heading into the second leg in Sweden next week.

ID:240439: cacheID:240439:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4749:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Leigh Griffiths of Celtic celebrates scoring a goal early in the first half during the UEFA Champions League Qualifying play off first leg match, between at Celtic Park on August 19, 2015
Read Next:
Half-Time Report: Celtic in control against Malmo
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Ravens
30-23
Chargers
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Liverpool440012
2Sporting Lisbon431010
3Brest431010
4Inter Milan431010
5Monaco431010
6Barcelona43019
7Dortmund43019
8Aston Villa43019
9AC Milan53029
10Atletico53029
11Atalanta42208
12Juventus42117
13Lille42117
14Man City42117
15Arsenal42117
16B. Leverkusen42117
17Celtic42117
18Dinamo Zagreb42117
19Bayern42026
20Feyenoord42026
21Real Madrid42026
22Benfica42026
23Brugge42026
24PSV41215
25Stuttgart41124
26Sparta Prague51134
27PSG41124
28Shakhtar41124
29Girona41033
30Salzburg41033
31Bologna40131
32RB Leipzig40040
33Sturm Graz40040
34Young Boys40040
35Red Star40040
36Slovan Bratislava50050


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!