Chelsea Cruise Past Celtic in Champions League Opener
The Blues started their Champions League campaign with a resounding 3-0 victory over Celtic at Stamford Bridge. It was a comfortable win for Chelsea, who were in control from the get-go and never really looked like they were going to be threatened.
The first goal came in the 18th minute when Raheem Sterling slotted home a low shot from inside the box. The England international was a constant threat throughout the game and deservedly opened the scoring. Just before half-time, a brilliant solo run from Reece James led to a goal from Thiago Silva. The Brazilian defender expertly controlled the ball, turning his marker, before calmly firing past the Celtic keeper.
In the second half, Chelsea continued to dominate possession and create chances. The third goal came in the 57th minute when Sterling added his second of the night, with a powerful shot from outside the box that gave the Celtic goalkeeper no chance.
Despite the scoreline, Celtic did have their moments. They tried to break forward but Chelsea's defense was resolute and dealt with any threat with ease. The Blues controlled the tempo and made the game look like a training exercise for most of the match.
This result will give Chelsea a lot of confidence going into the rest of the Champions League campaign. They will be looking to make a deep run in the competition and the win over Celtic was a great start. Chelsea will now face the challenge of playing AC Milan in their next game.
Here are some of the key takeaways from the match:
- Sterling looked sharp and dangerous in his first Champions League game for Chelsea.
- James had a brilliant performance, showing his attacking and defensive qualities.
- The Blues’ defense looked rock-solid, with Thiago Silva leading the way.
- Celtic were outplayed from start to finish.
It was a great night for Chelsea and a frustrating one for Celtic. However, there’s still a lot of football to be played and both teams will be looking to bounce back from this result.