Roma Silence Celtic Park With A Clinical 3-0 Statement Win

Roma walked into Celtic Park under pressure to respond after back-to-back Serie A defeats. What followed was a composed and ruthless display that sealed a 3-0 win before the break and reaffirmed their European credentials.

Celtic, eager to bounce back from a bruising weekend loss to Hearts, began with energy but never really found the rhythm needed to unsettle Gian Piero Gasperini’s organised side. The visitors struck early through a moment of misfortune for the hosts. In the sixth minute, Liam Scales—trying to deny Mancini’s aerial challenge—misjudged his defensive header and steered the ball into his own net. It set the tone for what became a punishing night.

Roma, calm and calculated, increased the tempo whenever space opened. Matias Soule dictated the play between the lines, and the patterns they built down the right flank repeatedly carved open Celtic’s structure. Their second goal arrived just after the half-hour mark, crafted with simplicity and precision. Soule fed Zeki Celik on the overlap, and the wing-back delivered a measured low cross for Evan Ferguson, who guided a composed first-time finish into the side netting.

Celtic tried to rally, forcing a scramble in Roma’s area and attempting to quicken transitions through Maeda, Hatate, and Engels. Yet every time they threatened, Roma countered with poise. Ferguson nearly added another when he rattled the post after dispossessing McGregor high up the pitch. The warning shot soon became a hammer blow.

On the stroke of half-time, Soule delivered the pass of the match—threading an incisive ball beyond the Celtic back line for Ferguson. The Brighton loanee cushioned it superbly before drilling home Roma’s third. It was a finish that underlined his growing maturity on the European stage.

Celtic’s lifeline came almost immediately when Engels was dragged down by Hermoso inside the box. But the Belgian’s penalty, struck firmly toward the bottom corner, brushed Svilar’s fingertips before crashing off the post. It summed up a half in which nothing fell the hosts’ way.

The second half offered moments of defiance but not enough to alter the course of the evening. Iheanacho turned in Engels’ cross only for VAR to chalk it off for offside. Leon Bailey thought he had made it 4-0 at the other end, but his effort too was ruled out following another review. Subs from both managers shifted the tempo, yet Roma remained in complete control, cycling possession intelligently and squeezing the life out of the game.

Celtic pushed for a consolation, but the visitors’ defensive discipline never wavered. Even when Bailey burst through late on, Schmeichel was sharp to deny him. By the final whistle, Roma had stitched together their third straight Europa League win, their best run in the competition since the Mourinho era.

Despite the scoreline, the underlying numbers showed how narrow the attacking margins were. But Roma were more clinical in the decisive moments. With this victory, the Giallorossi climb into the Europa League top 10, injecting new momentum into their continental campaign. Celtic, meanwhile, slip to 24th, clinging to a playoff position only on goal difference.

On a cold Glasgow night, it was Roma’s composure and precision that made the difference. They weathered the atmosphere, punished mistakes, and executed their chances with conviction. For Celtic, the lesson is harsh but clear—the margins in Europe are unforgiving, and the Bhoys will need a stronger response to maintain their foothold in the competition.