Jhon Duran double helps Benfica beat Celtic 4-1 in Europa League

Benfica secured a convincing 4-1 win over Celtic in the second round of the UEFA Europa League league phase, with Jhon Duran scoring twice.

Alexander Bah and Vangelis Pavlidis were also on target for Benfica, while Camilo Duran scored Celtic’s only goal after coming on as a second-half substitute, Haitham Hassan provided the assist.

The result moved Benfica to six points and fourth place in the table. Celtic remain 30th with no points after two matches.

Haitham Hassan’s contribution was his first for Celtic in the UEFA Europa League and his second since joining the club.

Benfica took the lead after only five minutes when Jhon Duran converted from the penalty spot.

They doubled their advantage in the 23rd minute. Gianluca Prestianni delivered an accurate cross into the penalty area and Alexander Bah finished with a shot from inside the box.

Duran scored again before half-time to put Benfica 3-0 ahead. The forward met another precise cross from Prestianni and completed his brace.

Celtic pulled one goal back in the 63rd minute. Haitham Hassan made progress down the right before sending a cross into the area, where Camilo Duran headed the ball into the net.

Benfica restored their three-goal advantage in the 89th minute when Vangelis Pavlidis found the net with a strike from outside the penalty area.

The victory gave Benfica a second win of the league phase and took them to six points, while Celtic’s losing run in the competition left them without a point.