Matt O’Riley, a former Celtic star, shone bright in Marseille’s 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League opener. Despite Marseille’s loss, O’Riley’s performance was impressive, earning him a WhoScored rating of 6.85. He played for 66 minutes, registering one shot, 30 passes with 83.3% accuracy, three key passes, and two total tackles.
Controversy Surrounding the Match
The game was marred by controversy, particularly around the second penalty awarded to Real Madrid. Jamie Carragher expressed his frustration on CBS Sports, calling the decision “one of the worst calls” he’d ever seen. The penalty was given for handball after Marseille defender Facundo Medina made a brilliant tackle on Vinicius Junior, and the ball bounced up, hitting his hand. Carragher argued that Medina’s arm was by his side, and there was nothing he could do to avoid the contact.
Match Highlights
- Real Madrid’s Victory: Kylian Mbappe scored both of Madrid’s goals from the penalty spot, securing a 2-1 win despite Dani Carvajal’s red card in the 72nd minute.
- Marseille’s Start: Marseille took the lead through Timothy Weah’s goal in the 22nd minute, capitalizing on a mistake from Arda Guler and a precise pass from Mason Greenwood.
- Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Injury: Real Madrid’s Trent Alexander-Arnold was forced off with a suspected muscle strain in the 5th minute and was replaced by Dani Carvajal ¹ ².
O’Riley’s Performance
- Comfortable on the Ball: O’Riley looked comfortable on the ball, showcasing his skills against one of Europe’s top teams.
- Stats: He had 40 touches, one dribble, four accurate long balls, and one interception.
- Impressive Display: Celtic fans will be pleased to see O’Riley thriving in the Champions League, even if it’s not with their team this season ³.
