Bayern Munich’s Javi Martinez inadvertently ended up with a pretty realistic Halloween disguise after being left bloodied as he scored their winner in the Champions League at Celtic.
The Spain international was left with blood pouring from his eye after colliding with defender Nir Bitton in the act of heading home Bayern’s 77th-minute goal at Parkhead.
His act of bravery silenced the home crowd and knocked the Glasgow club out of the Champions League while sending Bayern through to the knockout stages for the 10th successive season.
Bayern Munich’s Javi Martinez was left bloodied after scoring their winning goal at Celtic
The Spanish defensive midfielder collided heads with Nir Bitton as he headed the winner
Martinez needed to be brave in order to score his first goal in the Champions League
Martinez is helped from the field by the Bayern medical team with blood pouring from his eye
After taking a few minutes to get cleaned up, Martinez was praised by his manager Jupp Heynckes after the match.
He said: ‘Javi Martinez has previously often played as a central defender, but I have a rather different opinion.
‘Since he’s been playing in midfield we have improved our stability and the quality of our whole defensive work.
‘In addition to this, he is very dangerous from set pieces and the marvellous way he scored the excellent winning goal – not many players can do that.’
Hilariously, Martinez felt the need to point out the problem to the Bayern physio
Martinez’s goal – 13 minutes from time – ensured Bayern progressed to the knockout stage
The goal, which secured a 2-1 win for the German champions, also eliminated Celtic
Martinez applauds the travelling Bayern fans at the end after being patched up with a plaster
The Bayern midfielder grimaces as he receives treatment for the cut just above his eye
Celtic player Bitton also suffered a blow as Martinez clashed heads with him
When Kingsley Coman put Bayern ahead midway through the first-half, it looked as though Celtic would be brushed aside as they were in the Allianz Arena two weeks ago.
But they rallied and managed to equalise when Callum McGregor scored on 74 minutes. However, Martinez ensured they were only on level terms for three minutes by scoring his first-ever Champions League goal.