Celtic Break 12-Year Curse to Reach Champions League Knockouts in Thrilling Glasgow Showdown

The roar of Celtic Park reverberated across Glasgow as Celtic stormed into the Champions League knockout stages for the first time in 12 years, courtesy of an extraordinary late own goal by Young Boys captain Loris Benito. On a night brimming with tension, drama, and relentless football, the Hoops defied the odds and their frustrations to etch their names in history. This pulsating evening seemed destined to slip away from Brendan Rodgers’ side. Three first-half goals by Kyogo Furuhashi were chalked off in agonising fashion, while Arne Engels spurned a golden opportunity to punish the hosts with a limp penalty miss. Celtic’s Daizen Maeda added to the anxiety, seeing red after a reckless challenge, leaving the home fans biting their nails during a nerve-jangling finale. Yet when Celtic Park needed a hero, fate stepped forward. In the 86th minute, Adam Idah burst through on goal, his strike forcing a fine save from Marvin Keller. But the cruel twist for Young Boys came when the ball ricocheted off Benito and trickled heartbreakingly into his own net. Bedlam ensued, with players and fans erupting in jubilation as Rodgers’ men sealed their passage to the last 16. A First Half of What-Ifs Celtic tore into Young Boys from the first whistle, slicing through the visitors’ high defensive line with ease. Kyogo, electric as ever, had the ball in the net three times, but the celebrations were cut short by the linesman’s flag and VAR interventions. A foul in the build-up, an offside, and an ill-timed run by Maeda left Celtic cursing their luck. The frustration grew when Engels failed to punish Celtic, his tame penalty saved comfortably by Keller after Greg Taylor was dragged down in the box. The misses mounted for both sides, with Nicolas Kühn and Darian Males squandering opportunities, but Celtic’s defence, marshalled by veteran Kasper Schmeichel, refused to break. Tension Turns to Triumph The second half lacked the frenetic energy of the first, with misplaced passes and scrappy challenges halting any momentum. Yet Celtic’s resilience shone through. Schmeichel rolled back the years with a string of world-class saves to deny Young Boys, keeping the dream alive for the Bhoys. When Maeda’s dismissal left Celtic down to 10 men, the tension inside the stadium was palpable. But just as it seemed the night would end in heartbreak, Idah, much maligned in recent weeks, stepped up. Reo Hatate’s sublime through ball carved open the Young Boys defence, and while Keller denied the striker, Benito’s unlucky touch gifted Celtic the winner. Rodgers’ Redemption As the final whistle blew, Brendan Rodgers’ face told the story of the night—relief, pride, and vindication. “We get that little bit of luck for the goal that we didn’t have in the first half,” Rodgers admitted. “This group has matured so much, and to create a bit of history tonight is incredible for the club and the supporters.” Rodgers knows all too well the heartbreak Celtic fans have endured in Europe, and this victory will feel like redemption. The manager’s tactical nous and Schmeichel’s heroics helped steady the ship, while the energy and creativity of players like Kyogo and Hatate showcased the best of Celtic’s attacking arsenal. Key Stats From a Night to Remember Celtic are now unbeaten in five consecutive Champions League matches, their longest streak in the competition since records began in 2004/05. This win extended Celtic’s unbeaten run at home in all competitions to 30 matches (27 wins, 3 draws). Young Boys’ losing streak in the Champions League now stands at eight games. Celtic’s last benefit from an own goal in the competition was against Manchester City in 2016. Arne Engels’ penalty miss marked Celtic’s first Champions League penalty save at Celtic Park since 2008. What’s Next? For the first time in over a decade, Celtic fans can dream of knockout football. With a game to spare in the group stages, attention now turns to the play-off draw, where Europe’s elite await. In Glasgow, belief is rising. This squad has proved they can overcome adversity and seize the moment. On a night when history was made, Celtic showed they are ready to reclaim their place among Europe’s giants.