Celtic Dominate Sporting CP: Pre-Season Victory in Algarve!
Colaboradores
Celtic fans are buzzing after a convincing 2-0 victory over Sporting CP in a pre-season friendly held at the Estadio Algarve. The Bhoys put on a strong display, showcasing their summer progress and offering a glimpse of their European ambitions.
Celtic's Algarve History
This isn't Celtic's first rodeo at the Estadio Algarve. Back in 2008, they participated in the Algarve Challenge Cup, a tournament remembered for its unusual scoring system. Teams earned points for wins and draws, but also an extra point for every goal scored, encouraging attacking football. Celtic faced Middlesbrough and Cardiff City, ultimately finishing behind the Welsh side.
Match Highlights: Sporting CP vs Celtic
The recent match against Sporting CP saw Brendan Rodgers field a more experienced lineup. The first half was competitive, with both sides creating chances. Kasper Schmeichel, returning from his holiday break, was tested early on but proved his reflexes were sharp.
Key Moments:
- Hatate's Penalty: Reo Hatate broke the deadlock with a penalty shortly after halftime, earned by substitute Johnny Kenny.
- McCowan's Goal: Kenny continued to impress, driving forward on a counter-attack and setting up Luke McCowan, who calmly slotted home Celtic's second goal.
Celtic displayed defensive resilience and played incisive possession football. This victory serves as a positive sign as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Nygren's Debut: A Promising Start
Benjamin Nygren made his first start for Celtic, catching the eye with his performance. While opinions may vary, his inclusion added another dimension to Celtic's attack.
Getting to the Estadio Algarve
For any Celtic supporters planning future trips to the Estadio Algarve, it's located approximately 8km from Faro. A train station is conveniently situated next to the stadium, providing easy access from Faro, Loule, and other regional towns.