In a thrilling pre-season friendly, Celtic emerged victorious over Manchester City with a 4-3 scoreline at the University of North Carolina’s Kenan Memorial Stadium. Nicolas Kuhn’s brace and Luis Palma’s decisive goal in the 68th minute proved crucial for the Scottish champions.
Manchester City, led by Erling Haaland wearing the captain’s armband for the first time, showed signs of their attacking prowess. Haaland equalized in the 57th minute, but Celtic’s resilience shone through as Palma capitalized on a breakaway to secure the win.
The match served as a warm-up for both teams ahead of the upcoming 2024-25 season. Celtic, seeking their fourth consecutive Scottish Premiership title, fielded a strong lineup featuring debutant goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. Manchester City, the reigning English Premier League champions, used the opportunity to assess their younger talent.
Kuhn opened the scoring for Celtic in the 13th minute, showcasing his pace and finishing ability. Schmeichel made several impressive saves to deny Haaland, but City equalized through Oscar Bobb’s deflected shot in the 33rd minute. Kuhn restored Celtic’s lead three minutes later, curling a beautiful shot into the top corner.
Celtic extended their advantage to 3-1 just before halftime when Kyogo Furuhashi converted a perfect pass from Kuhn. However, City responded swiftly after the break, with Maximo Perrone scoring within seconds of coming on as a substitute. Haaland’s header in the 57th minute brought City level, but Palma’s breakaway goal proved decisive.
Despite City’s late push, Celtic held on for the victory. The match provided valuable insights for both managers as they prepare for the upcoming season.
