Pedro scores stoppage-time winner as Lazio beats Celtic 2-1 in Champions League

GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — Veteran Spain forward Pedro scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time Wednesday to earn Lazio a 2-1 win at Celtic, which remained without a victory in the Champions League in 10 years.

Pedro headed home from fellow substitute Matteo Guendouzi’s cross to cap a painful ending to the game for Celtic after the Scottish champions had a goal disallowed in the 81st following a lengthy VAR check — when the score was 1-1 — because Luis Palma was offside before scoring.

Celtic took a 12th-minute lead through Japan striker Kyogo Furuhashi, who netted his first goal in eight Champions League appearances by slotting a finish through the dive of goalkeeper Ivan Provedel after he was played through by a first-time pass from Matt O’Riley.

Matias Vecino equalized at a 29th-minute corner, when Lazio won three straight headers following Luis Alberto’s delivery. Joe Hart appeared to have saved the third one from Vecino but the referee ruled the ball had gone over the line before being clawed away.

Lazio joined Atletico Madrid on four points from two games, while Celtic has none after starting with a 2-0 loss at Feyenoord.

Celtic has won just one of its last 23 Champions League group games and has nine defeats in its last 11 of those matches.

The teams met in the Europa League four years ago when Celtic triumphed home and away, the victory in Rome sealed by Olivier Ntcham and he appeared on a massive pre-match banner among the home fans in the standing section.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Copyright © 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up