Celtic stun Barcelona as Bayern hammer Lille

Barcelona wasted their first chance to reach the Champions League last 16 after a surprise defeat by Celtic but Manchester United edged through and six-goal Bayern Munich rocketed closer to progression on Wednesday.

Favourites Barca lost 2-1 in Glasgow after Victor Wanyama and Tony Watt struck in a famous win for the Scottish champions, who exposed the continued defensive frailties of the slick passing Catalans with non-stop energy and physicality.

Lionel Messi pulled one back late on but the point that would have put the Group G leaders through was not forthcoming even if they still lead Celtic by two points and Benfica, 2-0 winners over Spartak Moscow, by five with two to play.

"It's right up there, one of the proudest moments of my career. This is monumental," Celtic manager Neil Lennon told reporters. His side had also led at the Nou Camp before a late 2-1 loss last month.

"We wanted to do ourselves justice and we surpassed that. We've beaten the best club in the world. It was a stiff examination and we came through it with flying colours."

United came from behind to win 3-1 at Braga after a Robin van Persie strike, Wayne Rooney's penalty and Javier Hernandez's scrappy goal in the final 10 minutes sealed a knockout stage berth as group winners following a painful early exit last term.

A powercut after Alan's opening penalty for the Portuguese hosts had held up the Group H game for around 10 minutes in the second half but United roared back.


Peruvian striker Claudio Pizarro bagged a 15-minute first-half hat-trick to help hosts Bayern batter Lille 6-1 and top Group F with nine points alongside Valencia, 4-2 victors at home to BATE Borisov thanks to Sofiane Feghouli's brace.

Bundesliga leaders Bayern, beaten by Chelsea in last season's final, were 5-0 up at halftime against the hapless Ligue 1 outfit after Bastian Schweinsteiger and Arjen Robben had also hit the net.

Toni Kroos made it six in the second period after Salomon Kalou's meaningless effort for Lille.

(REUTERS)