Balotelli on target; Celtic held in Europe

Paris: Mario Balotelli scored for Nice in a 1-1 draw at home to Ajax while Celtic laboured to a 0-0 stalemate against Rosenborg in the first leg of Wednesday’s Champions League third qualifying round. Italy striker Balotelli tapped home a cross from Jean Seri to fire Nice ahead on 32 minutes at the Allianz Riviera, but Donny van de Beek levelled for Ajax just after the break following a poor punch from Yoan Cardinale. In Glasgow, Celtic struggled to break down Norwegian opponents Rosenberg without the injured Moussa Dembele and Lee Griffiths, who was banned for one match by Uefa for “provoking spectators” in the previous round against Linfield.