Classic Celtic Matches | Celtic 1-0 Manchester United | UEFA Champions League (21/11/2006)

Match Report (Colin Moffat, BBC)

Celtic edged through to the knockout phase of the Champions League thanks to a wonderful Shunsuke Nakamura free-kick and a penalty save from Artur Boruc.

The Japanese star curled a sweet 30-yard strike into the top corner after 80 minutes to brighten what had been a cagey affair.

Manchester United striker Louis Saha was guilty of a terrible miss when he appeared to assume he was offside.

And Saha's night got worse when Boruc saved his last-minute penalty kick.

United must now take a point from the final Group F match at home to Benfica to progress in the tournament.

Celtic, who have never made the last 16 in the Champions League, are level on nine points with United.

But Gordon Strachan's side have a better head-to-head record with United, having scored away goals in their 3-2 loss at Old Trafford.

The visitors settled into a neat passing rhythm early on, taking the sting out of a keenly anticipated contest with sustained periods of possession.

Celtic were uncharacteristically timid in their approach, playing with two solid blocks of four and providing nothing for their strikers.

Neither goalkeeper had been threatened until an ambitious 20-yard volley from United's Wayne Rooney skidded narrowly wide on 29 minutes.

A mistake from Bobo Balde then allowed Cristiano Ronaldo to race in on goal but the defender's recovering lunge took the pace off the Portuguese star's shot and Boruc got down smartly to save.

Celtic made a rare break forward late in the first half but Thomas Gravesen's header from a Maciej Zurawski cross flashed harmlessly across the goal.

Strachan introduced Jiri Jarosik and Shaun Maloney after the interval but the switch did little to enliven proceedings.

Saha headed wide from a corner and Rio Ferdinand hooked a shot high over the crossbar from a similar situation.

Gravesen and Nakamura delivered shots on target but United keeper Edwin Van der Sar gathered with ease.

Ronaldo did well with a strong run after 77 minutes only to see his angled strike take a slight deflection and fizz wide.

The game burst into life in the final 10 minutes and Nakamura brought the previously subdued home support to their feet with his sensational free kick.

Saha was then guilty of dithering in front of goal, looking over at the linesman and allowing Boruc to block his shot.

United were awarded a penalty when Maloney handled a Ronaldo free-kick, but Boruc flew to his right to push away Saha's spot-kick.

Celtic: Boruc, Telfer, Balde, McManus, Naylor, Nakamura (Miller 85), Gravesen, Lennon, Sno (Jarosik 46), Vennegoor of Hesselink, Zurawski (Maloney 46).
Subs Not Used: Marshall, Wilson, McGeady, O'Dea.

Booked: McManus, Gravesen, Lennon.

Goals: Nakamura 81.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Heinze (Evra 87), Ronaldo, Carrick (O'Shea 87), Scholes, Giggs, Saha, Rooney.
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Brown, Richardson, Fletcher, Silvestre.

Booked: Scholes.

Att: 60,632.
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Connect with Celtic Football Club ⤵️

[CelticFC]

Which classic Celtic match highlights would you like to see next? 🤔🍀🍀

[happy-man.]

As a Japanese, I am happy that Shunsuke Nakamura will continue to live on in history as one of Celtic's great players.

[pikohandayo]

この時のマンチェスターユナイテッドに勝てたことが凄いよなぁ
日本人目線で中村のＦＫに注目しちゃうけど
ボルツの素晴らしいＰＫストップが無ければ勝てなかったし
チームがハードワークしてこその勝利
セルティックのチームとしての勝利ですね！

[martin-dh]

One of thee iconic games, still one of the best free kicks I have seen, loved naka.

[ZombieBze]

This was the first game at celtic park iever went to. Unforgettable

[RandyDubin]

Nakamura is one of the most underrated FK takers of all time. Simple as that. 😊☺

[Shalomx]

mighty NAKAMURA ...one of the best free kick takers !!!

[HelenCelticGhirl]

What a free kick Naka was a genius fantastic player 🍀🍀🇯🇵🇯🇵

[autodidactic]

unstoppable free kick twas absolute perfection

[Foreverceltic]

Never seen a ball glide so smoothly into the top bin. Magical player so he was, miss u Naka 🍀

[shooterdalton]

every Celtic/football fan sometimes wonders why we put ourselves through the madness that this game brings to our you see that and skip to work the next day 🍀🇮🇪🍀

[Improver]

Japanese legend player Nakamura King of Free Kicks
🇯🇵🤝🇮🇶

[雄樹-uo]

For the Japanese, this United game is really a legend.🇯🇵🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[timanon]

Was there and watching it again brings back incredible memories 🍀

[leallurezende]

Grande partida sou do Brasil e sou torcedor do Celtic

[ストーン-wl]

I was watching this game late at night in Japan.
I remember standing alone in front of the TV and exploding with the same joy as the stadium erupted in cheers. This was the best free kick I've ever seen. It was a proud moment as a Japanese.I love Celtic.

[asianintruder]

Can you imagine the party after that game😮

[cafezaodohighlight]

Shunsuke Nakamura the legend player for me, brasilian guy is here!! He's tsubasa!! 10 legendary

[arronblack]

What fantastic night that was at Celtic park ✊🏻🍀

[makoutay]

It's the most fantastic free kick ever by Shunsuke Nakamura(!)