Celtic entered the second leg of their Champions League playoff against LASK in Linz with a commanding 3-0 aggregate lead and extended it to 4-0 early in the game when Callum McGregor scored in the 21st minute [1, 2, 3, 4]. However, LASK responded quickly with Moses Usor equalising on the night at 1-1 in the 32nd minute to start their comeback [1, 2, 3, 4].
After halftime, LASK surged ahead in the match with Robert Ljubicic scoring in the 48th minute to put them 2-1 up on the night [1, 2, 3, 4]. Samuel Adeniran then added a third goal for the hosts in the 58th minute, cutting Celtic’s aggregate lead to just one goal [1, 2, 3, 4].
Late drama unfolded as Florian Flecker netted a close-range strike in the 90th minute, confirmed by a VAR check, to level the aggregate score and send the tie into extra time [1, 2, 3, 4]. In extra time, Adeniran scored a second goal in the 109th minute to give LASK a 4-1 lead on the night and 5-4 overall [1, 3, 4]. Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo denied a penalty from LASK in the 115th minute, but it was insufficient to prevent Celtic’s elimination [1, 3, 4].
The defeat marks one of the worst nights in Celtic’s European history and ends their hopes of reaching the Champions League group stage [1, 4]. Captain Callum McGregor admitted the team were "passive all night" and "scared to go and win the game," adding, "We have to suck it up. We apologise to our supporters and the club because there’s no way we should lose that game" [1, 5, 3, 4].
Celtic now drop into the Europa League and face a significant financial blow estimated above £20 million due to missing out on the Champions League [2].
