Despite a spirited and optimistic start in Glasgow, reigning champion Real Madrid ultimately overpowered Celtic in their Champions League debut.

Five years after their previous appearance at the top table of Europe, Celtic scared Real in the frenzied first half by creating a number of chances, including a shot by Callum McGregor off the post.

But the visitors recovered after the break, and goals from Vinicius Junior, Luka Modric, and Eden Hazard demonstrated their skill and secured the victory.

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After defeating RB Leipzig, Carlo Ancelotti’s team, who lost Karim Benzema to injury in the first half, moved into first place in Group F, passing Shakhtar Donetsk.

Next Wednesday, when Celtic play the Ukrainian team in their second group match in Warsaw, they hope to rebound from their disappointing performance against European football aristocracy.

However, the Scottish champions left a positive impression on the world’s largest stage, so it was not a depressing night at a raucous Celtic Park.

Despite Real Madrid’s superiority, Ange Postecoglou promised his squad would stick to their front-foot approach, and it was evident right from the start as they forced Thibaut Courtois to hand the ball out after 12 seconds.

The fans erupted in approval as Liel Abada swung barely wide from the throw-in.

The Israeli winger was released behind the defense by a brilliant ball from Jota, so it wasn’t just a one-off, but his hurried shot fell right into Courtois’ hands.

There was a sense of dread that Celtic’s lost chances would haunt them when McGregor rattled the post from the outside of the box and halftime replacement Daizen Maeda squandered a glorious opportunity from six yards.

The power of Modric and Tony Kroos, five-time European winners, increased almost inexorably, and Real did penalize Celtic’s carelessness in a masterfully efficient four minutes.

Federico Valverde’s cross was planted in the bottom corner of the goal by Vinicius after a smooth sequence that began at Courtois’ feet, and Hazard then set up Modric to score at the second attempt.

Real controlled the ball more easily and put together a stunning 33-pass move that ended with Kroos finding Dani Carvajal, who then swung the ball across goal for Hazard to score Real’s third. With Celtic fatigued from their exertions in the first half, Real played with greater ease.

The 14-time kings of Europe, whose quality shined through in the second half, ultimately overpowered Celtic, who fought to the bitter end and continued to pose a threat in bursts.