Neymar on song as Spanish clubs move up

Madrid, Dec 12 (IANS) It was a good night for the two Spanish sides playing at home in the last game of the group phase of the Champions League with Barca striker, Neymar the hero of the night with an impressive hat-trick.

Both FC Barcelona, which beat Celtic 6-1, and Atletico Madrid, defeating Porto 2-0, enjoyed comfortable home wins to confirm their position as the winners of their respective groups and earn hopefully a more favourable draw for the last 16 of the competition, reports Xinhua.

While Atletico Madrid went into their game against Porto with their ‘homework’ completed and a place as group winners already in the bag, Barca needed a point at home to Scottish Champions, Glasgow Celtic to assure they finished top of their group.

Celtic arrived with no options of finishing other than last in the group and soon fell behind when Gerard Pique fired home through a crowd of players after Alexis Sanchez‘ shot had been blocked.

After recent disappointments Barca needed a convincing display and the first half saw them move the ball around fluidly, without finding the final pass until the last six minutes when they assured the win.

A neat passing move on 39 minutes saw Neymar set up Pedro Rodriguez to fire home from close range and an even better move just before the break ended up with Martin Montoya ceding the ball for Neymar to score Barca’s third.

The Brazilian scored the fourth just after the break, once again producing a smart finish after another passing move ended up with Xavi backheeling the ball for him to score.

Although the result was important there is no doubt Barca also needed to play well to convince doubters there recent results were not the result of a crisis and that is what they were doing and Neymar finished his hat-trick in the 58th minute after Barca again sliced open a timid Celtic defense.

A big deflection from a shot by Cristian Tello took the ball past Fraser Forster for Barca’s sixth of the night

Samaras headed home a late consolation for Celtic, but it could do little to take the shine off a fine Barca display.

Atletico Madrid rested players for their game against Porto, who still had options of finishing second in the group, but despite having several fringe players in their side Atletico were soon ahead through Raul Garcia.

The midfielder had opened the scoring in his side’s Copa dl Del win at the weekend and again showed his nose for goal with a good finish in the 14th minute, before Diego Costa showed his exceptional moment of form when he collected a pass from youngster Oliver Torres before beating Porto goalkeeper Helton and finishing into an empty net.