FILIPE JOTA brought down the curtain on Celtic’s wretched Champions League campaign with a sprinkling of some magic dust in Madrid last night.
The Hoops were already trailing 5-0 to the reigning European kings with just six minutes to go when the Portuguese winger, a 63rd-minute substitute for Liel Abada, was brought down just outside the box by Lucas Vasquez.
Jota elected to take the award and the £6.5million purchase from Benfica in the summer at last gave the travelling fans something to cheer when he sent an unerring free-kick from 25 yards hurtling high over the grasping fingers of stretching keeper Thibaut Courtois into the top right-hand corner of the net.
It was a special moment for Jota and the supporters as he unashamedly celebrated on the touchline.
The flamboyant flanker ignored the fact the Parkhead side were rock bottom of Group F and the European adventure for the season would be over in a matter of moments.
Asked if this was something he had dreamed about, Jota, speaking to the media, answered: “Definitely. I think this was one of the best moments of my life.
“As a kid, I always looked for this teams and this stage and to come here and score a goal, I think it’s a very important moment for me and for my family.
“And they were in the stands so they could see this, so I am very happy for this.”
After sitting out five games with a hamstring injury, Jota made his comeback as a second-half against Livingston on Sunday and scored the final goal in the 3-0 win in West Lothian.
Now he is hoping to get the nod to start against Dundee United at Parkhead on Saturday.
MOMENT OF MAGIC AMID THE MISERY IN MADRID
