Celtic FC Women's UWCL campaign ends with 3-0 defeat | OneFootball

UEFA Women’s Champions League Tuesday, December 16, 2024De Grolsch VesteFC TWENTE...3(van Dooren 20, Rodgers O.G 34, Ross O.G 40)

CELTIC…0Celtic FC Women brought their UEFA Women’s Champions League campaign to a close, slipping to defeat on matchday six against FC Twente.

Three first half goals inflicted defeat upon the Ghirls, who rounded off what has been a historic European campaign.

Despite not picking up any points, it has been a promising first ever European group stage campaign for the Ghirls, who have grown with confidence throughout the competition.

Elena Sadiku’s side headed into the game aiming to round things off with another strong showing and hoping to pick up a positive result.

The Celtic boss made four changes to her side, introducing both Lisa Rodgers and Mathilde Carstens for their first Champions League starts in the Hoops.

The match started off in a decent manner for the Celts, looking to cause some early trouble for the Twente goalkeeper.

Some nice invention from Carstens gave the Hoops the chance to throw an early free kick into the box, but it was ultimately cleared.

Both sides had chances to grab the first goal in the opening stages, with FC Twente striking the crossbar via a deflected effort, before Caitlin Hayes saw a shot well saved from close range.

However, it was the home side who would strike first in the match, opening the scoring 20 minutes into the game.

After being given a warning sign as the ball hit the back of the net, before the offside flag was raised, the Dutch side made the Celts pay, scoring from close range to make it 1-0.

Looking to play their way back into proceedings, the Ghirls were playing some decent football from the back as they tried to get forward.

However, as the game approached half time, it was the tale of two set plays that seen the Hoops slip three goals behind.

Conceding twice before the break, with two corners landing in the net via the aid of Celtic deflections, the Ghirls found themselves 3-0 down going into the break.

With her side three goals behind, the Celtic head coach introduced two changes at the break, bringing Hana Kerner and Jenny Smith into the action.

The American looked to use her pace to get the Hoops up the pitch, making a positive run in the Twente half just moments after being introduced.

As the game went on, the Celts continued to grow into proceedings, with Elena Sadiku's side aimimg to drag themselves back in to the game.

Emma Lawton almost created a brilliant opening for one of her team-mates with a cutback on the right-hand side, but no one was there to meet the ball.

A corner into the box also almost created an opening at the back post for Caitlin Hayes. But it was cleared just in time before the Irish defender met the cross.

Ultimately, it would end in defeat for the Ghirls, with the three first half goals doing the damage.

Although they couldn’t take anything from the group, there will be plenty of learnings from what was another historic experience.