BERLIN, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Leipzig cruised 2-0 past Celtic after scoring twice within the first 45 minutes at the third round in Europa League's group stage on Thursday.
First-half goals from Matheus Cunha and Bruma secured Leipzig an uncontested victory over uninspired Scottish champions.
Visitors Celtic Glasgow caught a bright start on the road though as Odsonne Edouard missed the target just wide with eight minutes into the encounter.
As the match progressed Leipzig gained a foothold into the game and opened the scoring with 31 minutes played when Marcel Sabitzer's delivery into the box found Matheus Cunha, who tapped home the opener between two defenders from close range.
Celtic were shocked meanwhile Leipzig piled on the pressure to double the lead only four minutes later after Bruma capitalized on a blocked shot to poke home the rebound from inside the box.
After the restart, the hosts started where they left off and continued to produce goal-scoring opportunities as Konrad Leimer came close before Jean-Kevin Augustin rattled the woodwork.
The visitors posed little threat but still Leipzig's goalkeeper Yvon Mvogo had to be on guard to deny Odsonne Edouard's effort in the closing period.
"We needed some good twenty minutes to establish our rhythm before we took the reins. We should have scored more goals but we remained focussed and reaped a deserved victory on home soil," Leipzig's head coach Ralf Rangnick said.
With the result, Salzburg sit atop the standings with nine points in Group B, followed by Leipzig (6 points), Celtic (3 points) and Rosenborg (0 points). Enditem
