SS Lazio clinched their first Champions League win of the season through Pedro Rodriguez's last-gasp decider!! After the deadline draw in Matchday 1 at the Olympic Stadium -with a stunning goal by keeper Provedel-, this time it was the Tenerife-born attacker who stood up the Biancocelesti flag converting a goal that worth three points at Celtic Park: with a header in extra time, he broke the 1-1 score build with goals by Furuhashi (12') and Vecino (29') in the first half. Only Pedro was able to make the difference, although the VAR denied a Celtic goal in minute 81.
The local side started the game in a good mood, with pace, energizing performance, and hard pressure so they could prevent Lazio from displaying their best. Furuhashi made early first blood in the 12th minute but Lazio got to work hard to revert the situation and did it soon on a set-piece action. Luis Alberto's corner kick found Romagnoli, who accidentally gave a pass to Vecino. The Uruguayan converted in style with a header.
More of the same for the second half. Celtic dominated in the early minutes after the break but Maurizio Sarri's changes lifted Lazio and gave them more energy to challenge for the big prize. Before the final ecstasy, there was room for scare as VAR denied a goal by the local side in minute 81’, but all three points were finally bagged by Lazio when Pedro Rodríguez made the most from a cross by Guendouzi with a superb header.
- Match stats:
Celtic FC (4-3-3): Hart; Johnston, Phillips (62' Carter-Vickers), Scales, Taylor; O'Riley, McGregor, Hatate (71' Bernardo); Maeda, Furuhashi (86' Oh), Yang (62' Palma).
SS Lazio (4-3-3): Provedel; Lazzari (84' Marusic), Patric, Romagnoli, Hysaj; Kamada, Vecino, Luis Alberto (67' Guendouzi); Felipe Anderson (67' Isaksen), Immobile (71' Castellanos), Zaccagni (84' Pedro).
Bookings: Donatas Rusmas (LTU) booked Phillips (45'+2'), Luis Alberto (62'), Castellanos (74'), Vecino (90'+3')
Goals: Furuhashi (13'), Vecino (29'), Pedro (96').
2 - 0 