Benfica 3 Celtic 0: Celtic's previous two trips to Lisbon had been indelibly etched in the minds of their supporters for the right reasons.
Their central defender Gary Caldwell, though, will want to erase any thought of this match at the earliest opportunity after scoring an own-goal and being culpable for Benfica's second as Celtic's dismal run away from home in the Champions League continued last night.
Gordon Strachan's side, seemingly on course for qualification to the last 16 for the first time after six points from their first three games, were defeated after Nuno Gomes and Andrei Karyaka added to Caldwell's early aberration. Celtic must now receive tangible reward from their games against Manchester United and FC Copenhagen or their advantage in second place will be fatally eroded.
Caldwell began the week by learning that his horrendous tackle on David Fernandez on Sunday ensured the Kilmarnock striker will be out of action for the rest of the season. How the 24-year-old must have wished in spells at the magnificent Estadio da Luz that his own torture could be prematurely halted.
The Scottish champions lifted the European Cup in this city in 1967 and won a tie against Benfica two years later on the toss of a coin, but sentiment was never likely to feature last night - especially given the Portuguese side had been humbled 3-0 in Glasgow a fortnight ago.
Celtic were again without Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Thomas Gravesen because of injury, with Strachan deploying Kenny Miller as a lone striker and giving Stephen Pearson a rare start. Miller, Scotland's all-time top scorer in the Champions League, has adapted to occasions such as these for club and country with aplomb, but the same cannot be said of Celtic.
The Scottish champions entered this match with a record of no wins, nine defeats, and a draw at the Camp Nou, from their previous away matches in the competition. But the visitors, roared on by 10,000 travelling supporters, surely knew their dream of progressing was attainable.
Yet, Celtic began the match nervously against a team who were keen to kick-start their European campaign. Caldwell had already been fortunate not to concede a penalty after a late tackle on Fabrizio Miccoli before he turned a tantalising cross from Nelson beyond Artur Boruc.
And then, after 22 minutes, Caldwell inexplicably failed to deal with a routine ball from the home goalkeeper, Quim, and as the ball rebounded from the defender's face, Nuno Gomes was on hand to strike home a well deserved second goal.
A warm reception for the surviving members of the Celtic's 1967 side during the half-time break proved welcome relief for the travelling fans, but the class of 2006 failed to further improve their mood as they continued their error-strewn display in the early stages of the second period.
An increasingly desperate Strachan introduced Aiden McGeady for the ineffectual Shaun Maloney in an attempt to turn the tide.
But it was the Karyaka, a Benfica substitute, who finished the contest when he side-footed past Boruc from 18 yards.
Guardian Service
BENFICA: Quim, Nelson, Luisao, Ricardo Rocha, Leo, Petit (Beto 84), Karagounis, Nuno Assis, Simao, Nuno Gomes (Mantorras 88), Miccoli (Karyaka 67). Subs not used: Moretto, Anderson, Miguelito, Paulo Jorge. Booked: Ricardo Rocha, Leo.
CELTIC: Boruc, Telfer, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor, Nakamura, Sno (Zurawski 71), Lennon, Pearson, Maloney (McGeady 64), Miller. Subs not used: Marshall, Balde, Riordan, Jarosik, O'Dea. Booked: Sno, Maloney, Pearson.
Referee: K Vassaras (Greece).
