Champions League Archives

Liverpool 1-0 Real Madrid: Slot’s men record huge Champions League Victory

An Alexis Mac Allister header gives Liverpool all three points and a famous victory at Anfield. Real Madrid travel to England to face Premier League holders, Liverpool in an eye catching tie as well as Trent Alexander-Arnold returning to face his boyhood side. The opening start was fairly even with both sides enduring time on the ball, but failing to give either keepers any issue. Excellent pressing by Wirtz gave the hosts a big chance, Alexis Mac Allister but the midfielder was leaning back as the shot was taken on which ended going wide. It was a very passive start by the La Liga outfit but Mbappe had a star chance but just like Mac Allister, the striker was leaning back as he skied his opportunity to keep the tie on level terms. Liverpool came very close after 27 mins, a run on the right by Wirtz following a mistake by the visitors, Wirtz with a ball into Szoboszlai but Courtois making himself big to stop the Premier League side gaining a vital lead. After 30 mins, there was a penalty check for possible handball by Vinicius Junior which was originally given as a free-kick. After a lengthy check, the decision was overturned giving the Madrid side the benefit of the doubt. Szobolzlai had a chance a few minutes on but a simple stop for the Real Madrid number one. Late action in the first half as Bellingham works his way into the box, unleashing a strike which was well stopped by the feet of Mamardashvili keeping the game goalless. As both sides went into the break, Liverpool were quite clearly on top but unable to break the deadlock as both sides go in hunting for a second half goal. An early corner for the hosts, Van Dijk was up high and strong but a massive stop by Courtois to tip it over and onto the following corner, Ekitike with a strong header but yet again, Courtois to safety tipping it over the bar. Szobolzlai came close again, a powerful free-kick well punched out by Belgium international, Courtois. Alexis Mac Allister fired the Kop ahead after the hour mark, a free kick in from Szobolszlai as the Argentina international heads home from close range as Courtois is eventually beaten and the hosts get the crucial lead but VAR was ready to spoil the celebrations but after a check, the goal stood. Mbappe almost levelled the game up after 75 as a clipped shot from distance spun wide and kept Real Madrid chasing for an equaliser. Boos rang around Anfield as former red, Trent Alexander-Arnold came on for the final 10 minutes receiving a bad reception on his return but this time in Real Madrid colours as Boos rang around every time the full-back got on the ball. Real Madrid continued to try and find a goal back but failing to find any way to goal but Liverpool were still the mood for more but looked to heading towards a tight victory in Merseyside. Liverpool claimed the major win as they defeat European giants at Anfield in the UEFA Champions League. Player ratings Liverpool: Mamardasvili (8), Konate (7), Robertson (7), Van Dijk (9), Bradley (9), Szoboszlai (10), Gravenberch (8), Mac Allister (10), Wirtz (9), Ekitike (8). Subs: Gakpo (6), Jones (6), Kerkez (6), Chiesa (7). Real Madrid: Courtois (9), Valverde (7), Militao (7), Huijsen (6), Carreras (6), Tchouameni (7), Camavinga (7), Guler (7), Bellingham (8), Vinicius Junior (6), Mbappe (7). Subs: Rodrygo (6), Alexander-Arnold (6), Diaz (6).

November 5, 2025

UEFA Champions League Review: Matchday Three

All six English representatives in this year’s Champions League picked up points on the third week of European football’s grandest competition. Tuesday’s match card seen a total of 45 goals scored across the nine matches on display. Barcelona defeated 10 men Olympiacos 6-1 in Catalonia whilst Kairat Almaty picked up their first points of the campaign, with a home 0-0 draw with Steven Pressley’s former side Pafos. Arsenal and Newcastle had North London and the North East rocking respectively. Four second half goals from Gabriel, Gabriel Martinelli, and a double from marquee signing Viktor Gyokeres allowed the Gunners to steamroll over a traditionally resolute Atletico Madrid. Arsenal sit fourth, with maximum points from their first three matches. Newcastle also picked up three points this week as they defeated Jose Mourinho’s Benfica 3-0. Goals from Anthony Gordon and then a second half double from Harvey Barnes, who is eligible for Scotland, gave the Magpies their second European victory in a row. Elsewhere for English sides, Manchester City put in a workmanlike performance away to the yellow submarine of Villarreal. Goals from Erling Harland and Bernardo Silva in the opening half was all that was needed for City to continue their unbeaten start to this year’s league phase. USG of Belgium, who share an investor with Hearts in Tony Bloom, fell to a 4-0 home defeat to Inter Milan. Scott McTominay scored twice for Napoli away to PSV, but the Scudetto winners were embarrassed by the Eredevisie holders, losing 6-2. Former Rangers loanee Fabio Silva scored Borussia Dortmund’s final goal in what was a comfortable 4-2 victory away to FC København. PSG and Bayer Leverkusen both had a man sent off in the first half as last year’s treble winners PSG sauntered to a remarkable 7-2 win away from home against a Leverkusen side that has been dismantled since their heroic invincible Bundesliga campaign just two seasons ago. Not as many goals on Wednesday’s card but that was not for a lack of trying. Both early kick offs ended 3-1 to the home sides, as Athletic Bilbao ended Qarabag of Azerbaijan’s 100% record in San Mames, and Galatasary defeated Bodo/Glimt in Istanbul. Chelsea and Liverpool both steered to 5-1 victories, with Chelsea playing at home to Ajax and making most of their extra man advantage after Kenneth Taylor was sent off at 0-0 15 minutes in for the Dutch giants. Liverpool travelled to Eintracht Frankfurt having lost their last four matches prior. Reds fans would have been fearing the worst when the hosts took the lead 26 minutes in, but five unanswered goals from the English title holders, including one from former Celtic man Virgil Van Dijk, brought the five time European Cup winners winning feel back. Spurs were the only English club not to win this week, with Thomas Frank’s side being held to a bore 0-0 away to Ligue 1 side AS Monaco. Atalanta also drew 0-0 this week to Czechia side Slavia Prague. Elsewhere, Real Madrid defeated Juventus 1-0 at the Bernabeu thanks to a second half Jude Bellingham strike. Bayern Munchen made football look easy with a 4-0 disposal of Club Brugge who knocked Rangers out to qualify for this competition. Sporting Lisbon came from behind to defeat Marseille in the Portuguese capital. Matchday four of the Champions League is on the first week of November, with matches scheduled for the 4th and 5th. Arsenal take on Slavia Prague in Czechia, with North London rivals Tottenham hosting FC Kobenhavn. The biggest game on the Tuesday, however, is Liverpool and Real Madrid at Anfield, or PSG taking on Bayern Munchen at the Parc de Princes. On the Wednesday, Chelsea get their miles in travelling to Azerbaijan to face Qarabag, whilst their compatriots Man City and Newcastle host Borussia Dortmund and Athletic Bilbao respectively.

October 24, 2025

Arsenal 4-0 Atletico Madrid: Clinical Second Half Spell Seals Win for Gunners

Arsenal 4-0 Atletico Madrid Magalhães (57′) Martinelli (64′) Gyokeres (67′ , 70′) Arsenal bulldozed their way past Atletico Madrid to maintain their 100% record in the Champions League after a dominant second-half performance. In a goalless first half, David Raya almost gifted the visitors the lead in the 24th minute. After tussling with Giuliano Simeone at the corner flag, the resultant Julian Alvarez strike narrowly missed as the goalkeeper scampered back to his goal. Arsenal thought they had opened the scoring in the 35th minute, after Gabriel Martinelli bundled home Bukayo Saka’s sliding cross. Unfortunately for Mikel Arteta’s side, the Brazilian attacker was positioned offside in the build-up. The home side pulled away to a routine victory in the second half, after scoring four goals in 13 minutes to seal the win. Gabriel Magalhães powered home Declan Rice’s inswinging free kick in the 57th minute to open the scoring. Martinelli then made up for his offside goal in the 64th minute. Myles Lewis-Skelly’s clever pass allowed the Brazilian to advance into the box unmarked. He curled a delicate right-footed shot past the outstretched Jan Oblak for a superb second goal. Summer acquisition Viktor Gyokeres added two goals in three minutes to finish off the rout. He bundled home from inside the six-yard box after Eberechi Eze’s initial strike in the 67th minute. The Swede added the fourth shortly, prodding home another Rice set piece to the delight of the home faithful. The emphatic victory moves the Gunners into 3rd place in the Champions League table; they are yet to concede a goal in the competition, and look the real deal. They return to Premier League action against Crystal Palace. Arsenal: Raya, Timber (White 83′) Magalhães (Mosquera 72′) Saliba, Lewis-Skelly, Zubimendi (Nørgaard 83′) Rice, Saka, Eze (Nwaneri 73′) Martinelli, Gyokeres (Merino 83′) Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Hancko, Gimenez (Baena 63′) Le Normand, Llorente, Gonzalez (Ruggeri 63′) Kokę (Gallagher 63′) Barrios, Simeone (Griezmann 72′) Sorloth (Almada 72′) Alvarez

October 21, 2025

Arteta Praises “Outstanding” Simeone as Champions League Meeting Looms

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal host Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid in the Champions League this week, and the Gunners boss believes his opposite number’s “character and willingness would take him anywhere” as he approaches 14 years in charge of the Spanish giants. Speaking on Monday before the European tie, Arteta said he “looks up” to Simeone, “I think what he has done since he got to Atletico has been outstanding, not only what he has achieved but the way he has done it, I think the identity that he has created to the club, to the team, the spirit, I think they are very simple and clear to identify, and that is because the manager is very much them.” Arsenal sit at the summit of the Premier League; their one-nil victory over Fulham on Saturday pushed them three points clear of nearest rivals Manchester City. Arteta was pleased with the “initiative” of defender William Saliba, after a photo spread on social media showing the Arsenal defender studying Atletico on the team coach: “Very pleased because I didn’t encourage it, so it came from them, and that’s the most powerful thing, that a game finishes, the job is done, but what is the next challenge?” “We know that it is going to be a really tough, so the earlier we start to think about it and prepare the better, so I love that initiative from the players, and it tells you how much they want it and how focused they are on what is next.” Simeone is approaching 14 years as Atletico’s head coach, thrashing Frankfurt 5-1 in their last Champions League outing. Arteta was full of praise for the manager’s longevity. “What is for me outstanding is his passion, I think for how long he has been in the game in the same club with the same players” “It is a very tough environment that we live in, and to keep convincing players, you have to be extraordinary well, I don’t know him personally but everything I’ve heard about him is that he is so good at doing that,” “What makes Simeone teams so difficult to play against -” the willingness to win, you can sense that in every single goal in every single yard they play,” “they have had quite a lot of talent throughout the years, that are very specific for their needs and where they want to play, and they are very good at exploiting those opportunities.” Arsenal host Atletico Madrid at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night at 8pm, seeking their third straight win in the Champions League.

October 20, 2025

UEFA Champions League Review: Matchday Two

The UEFA Champions League returned to our screens this week after an absence the week prior. Six Premier League clubs were in action, with some faring a lot better than others. Kairat Almaty, who dumped Celtic out in the qualifiers, hosted European giants Real Madrid in one of the early kick-offs on Tuesday. It would be two defeats from two for the Kazakhstan side, falling to a 5-0 defeat as Kylian Mbappe netted a hat-trick. Atalanta and Club Brugge played out the other early kick off, with the Series A side leaving it late to complete a 2-1 turnaround victory. Three of the English sides competed on Tuesday night. Jose Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge in his new role as Benfica manager. His side lost 1-0 to the Blues on the night, but the ‘Special One’ received a hero’s welcome. Less can be said about the reception Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez received from his former fans housed in the away corner. Tottenham Hotspur travelled to the Arctic Circle to take on Bodo/Glimt, who they knocked out of last season’s Europa League semi-final. A Jens Hauge double spooked a rocked Spurs side, but goals from skipper Micky Van De Ven and an own goal enforced by Richarlison meant that the North Londoners were able to escape with a point. Liverpool were the third English club in action, faced with the task of overcoming the cauldron which is RAMS Park, home of Galatasaray. The atmosphere ultimately proved too much for the Premier League champions, with an early Victor Osimhen penalty being the difference between the sides. Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid thrashed Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1. Inter Milan defeated Czech side Slavia Prague 3-0 in the same week demolition plans of Inter and AC’s shared stadium San Siro were confirmed. Marseille romped to a 4-0 home win over Ajax, and Bayern Munich defeated a Pafos side featuring David Luiz 5-1 in Cyprus. Three more English clubs took part in the nine Wednesday fixtures. Newcastle United occupied one of the early kick off slots, with a convincing 4-0 away win over USG of Belgium, another side with investment from Hearts shareholder Tony Bloom. Nick Woltemade scored his third since arriving in the summer, before two Anthony Gordon penalties and a Harvey Barnes effort completed the rout. Qarabag beat FC København 2-0 to maintain their 100% record in the other early kick off. Arsenal were the only other English side to play at home this week, as Gabriel Martinelli gave the Gunners the lead before Bukayo Saka clinched a 2-0 win at the death at home to Olympiacos. Manchester City travelled to the Principality of Monaco to take on the Ligue 1 side of the same name, drawing 2-2 after an injury time Eric Dier penalty split the points. Erling Haaland scored two first half goals either side of a Jordan Teze thunderbolt, before Monaco won a penalty late on for a high boot offence. International football returns next week in the form of World Cup qualifiers, so the UEFA Champions League does not come back until October 21st.

October 2, 2025

UEFA Champions League Review: Matchday One

The UEFA Champions League returned this week, with this season being the second instalment of the still new ‘league phase’ format, replacing the group stages last campaign. No Scottish clubs are in action this year, unfortunately, but there was still plenty of British clubs in action across all three nights of football. Arsenal were the first British club to play in the UEFA’s premier competition this season, travelling to San Mames to take on Athletic Club Bilbao, who knocked Rangers out of the Europa League last season at the quarter final stage before faltering in the semis to eventual runners up Manchester United. Arsenal grabbed a 2-0 victory on the road, with substitute Gabriel Martinelli scoring after just being on the park one minute with just less than 20 minutes to go. Fellow sub Leandro Trossard made sure the points went back to North London, scoring his side’s second with three minutes to go. Hearts’ shareholder Tony Bloom’s other pet project Union Saint-Gilloise stormed to an impressive 3-1 win away to Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven. The Belgian side dominated proceeding in their first ever match in the Champions League proper, and Hearts fans will be dreaming that Tony Blooms algorithm can be replicated for the Gorgie side to enjoy some European success of their own. USG host Newcastle United next. Elsewhere on Tuesday, Azerbaijani side Qarabag pulled of a heroic comeback away to Benfica to win 3-2 after being 2-0 down. Manager Bruno Lage was sacked following this, and was replaced by returning icon Jose Mourinho, who had loosely been linked with the Rangers post as pressure continues to mount on Russell Martin. Juventus and Borussia Dortmund played out a potential match of the tournament already, as the giants drew 4-4, with all eight goals coming in the second half, and two from Juventus deep into injury time to steal a point. Former Celtic loanee Timothy Weah gave Marseille the lead at the Bernabeu, but this was cancelled out by two Kylian Mbappe penalties. Former Celtic player Matt O’Riley also starred for the French outfit. And Tottenham Hotspur got off to a winning start against Villarreal, after a gift of an own goal 4 minutes in from goalkeeper Luis Junior. Onto Wednesday’s action now, which seen Chelsea travel to Bayern Munchen and Liverpool host Atletico Madrid. The former slumped to a 3-1 defeat in Bavaria, with former Tottenham striker Harry Kane coming back to haunt Chelsea with a deadly double, after Trevor Chalobah’s own goal gave the German hosts the lead. Cole Palmer brought a goal back for Chelsea after Kane doubled their lead with a penalty, but the English forward killed any hopes of a comeback on the 63rd minute after he capitalised on a Malo Gusto mistake. Liverpool left it late to secure all three points at Anfield in their opening bout with Atletico Madrid. The Reds took an early two goal lead, with Scotland captain Andy Robertson scoring from a deflection to net his second career Champions League goal, before Egyptian winger Mo Salah put Liverpool two goals to the good just six minutes in. Goals from Marcos Llorente in first half injury time and in the 81st minute brought the scoring level, before an added time header from former Celtic centre back Virgil Van Dijk made it a memorable European night at Anfield for the Premier League holders. Pafos drew 0-0 away to Olympiacos on their Champions league debut in a Greek vs Cypriot battle, whilst Bodo Glimt who infamously knocked Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic out of the Conference League in 2022 came from two behind away to Slavia Prague to rescue a 2-2 draw. Last season’s runners up Inter Milan won 2-0 away to Ajax with goals two minutes either side of halftime by Marcus Thuram, and holders PSG kicked off their defence of their crown with a defiant 4-0 home win over Atalanta of the Serie A. Two more English sides competed on Thursday night also. Manchester City took on Napoli and Kevin De Bruyne’s return to the Etihad Stadium after leaving for Italy this summer ended abruptly after he was sacrificed following an early red card to defender Giovanni Di Lorenzo on the 21st minute. Scotland’s Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay featured, but it was the light blues of Manchester who prevailed, thanks to second half goals from Erling Harland and Jeremy Doku. Newcastle United hosted Barcelona in their second Champions League campaign in three seasons, but fell to a 2-1 defeat, thanks to two goals from familiar face Marcus Rashford, who signed for the Spanish giants on loan this summer from Manchester United, including a screamer to make it 2-0, before Anthony Gordon netted a 90th minute consolation goal. Club Brugge won the Phillipe Clement derby, defeating another one of the former Rangers gaffer’s former clubs in Monaco 4-1. Henrik Larsson’s son Jordan scored the opener for FC København in a 2-2 draw against Bayer Leverkusen in a match which also seen former Celtic and Rangers loanees Mohamed Elyounoussi and Malik Tillman appear. Sporting Lisbon dispatched of Kairat Almaty, who defeated Celtic in the playoff qualifier to make the league phase, by 4 goals to 1. And 2022 Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt cruised to a 5-1 victory at home over Turkish Superlig opposition Galatasaray. The Champions League returns on the 30th September, with next week being reserved for the Europa League, where we will see Celtic travel to Crvena Zvezda on Wednesday, and Rangers play Belgian club Genk at Ibrox on Thursday.

September 19, 2025

Club Brugge humiliate Rangers to Champions League playoff defeat

Club Brugge 6 – 0 Rangers Club Brugge win 9-1 on aggregate A rampant Club Brugge side hit Rangers for six in a humiliating performance, relegating the visitors to the Europa League and piling further pressure on Russell Martin. Martin made two changes from Sunday’s draw with St Mirren with Nasser Djida and Danilo replacing Emmanuel Fernandez and Nicolas Raskin and looking to overturn a 3-1 deficit from the first leg at Ibrox eight days ago. But their hopes were shattered within the opening five minutes as Nicolo Tresoldi directed Joaquin Seys cross past Jack Butland. Things went from bad to worse when Max Aarons was sent off minutes later. The fullback pulled Christos Tzolis to the ground after the Greek attacker had raced clear, leaving Felix Zwayer no choice but to reach for his red card. From here, Rangers’ misery continued. The home side doubled their lead just after the half-hour mark as Hans Vanaken’s powerful header from Tzolis’ corner kick put further daylight between the two sides. Then they rounded off the first half in ruthless fashion, scoring three goals in seven minutes, starting with Seys netting the third on 41 minutes, sidefooting his rebounded strike following Kyriani Sabbe’s cross. The same player made it four shortly after, before Aleksandar Stankovic’s headed home Vanaken’s cross in added time. The half time whistle blew on an atrocious first half for the visitors. Martin had already been forced into a change, bringing James Tavernier on following Aaron’s red card, but made three more substitutes at halftime; Mohamed Diomande, Raskin and Finlay Curtis replacing Theo Aasgaard, Joe Rothwell and Djeidi Gassama. Nicky Hayen’s side continued to dominate, and Greek talent Tzolis, who will surely be involved against Scotland during the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, gathered Tresoldi’s audacious flick to roll past Butland. Brugge continued to dominate proceedings but could not add to their lead. Their victory secures passage to the Champions League draw, which takes place tomorrow evening. Rangers must pick themselves up quickly as Celtic visit Ibrox on Sunday. The humiliating result leaves Russell Martin with just three wins in ten competitive games in the Ibrox hot seat. Club Brugge: Mignolet, Seys (Siquet 58′) Mechele, Spileers, Sabbe (Audoor 72′), Onyedika. Stankovic, Tzolis (Nilsson 58′), Vanaken, Forbs (Diakhon 46′), Tresoldi (Furo 68′) Rangers: Butland, Aarons, Souttar, Djiga, Meghoma, Rothwell (Raskin 46′), Cameron, Aasgaard (Diomandé 46′), Antman (Tavernier 12′) Danilo (Barron 59′), Gassama (Curtis 46′)

August 27, 2025

Celtic out of Champions League on penalties after spirited Almaty display

Kairat Almaty (0) 0 – 0 (0) Celtic Kairat Almaty win 3-2 on penalties Temirlan Anarbekov saved two penalties as Kairat Almaty beat Celtic to progress to the Champions League, relegating the Scottish Champions to the Europa League. Celtic made two changes from the first leg six days ago. Anthony Ralston replaced the injured Alistair Johnston, with Adam Idah dropping to the bench for Yang Hyun-Jun. The home side frustrated Celtic for much of the opening leg, and this continued for the first half of the second leg although James Forrest had the game’s first big chance in the 22nd minute as the winger met Reo Hatate’s cross but headed straight at Anarbekov. Kairat’s high press was suffocating Celtic; there was no room for the likes of Benjamin Nygren, Callum McGregor, and Hatate to dominate, but there were positive signs down the left-hand side as Kieran Tierney and Yang had both picked up attacking areas, but lacked the final pass. Almaty were awarded an indirect free kick after Kasper Schmeichel handled Callum McGregor’s looping back pass. A wall of Celtic players held firm to deflect Jorginho’s strike, but it was a warning for Brendan Rodgers’ side. The home side continued to grow in confidence as Valery Gromyko surged forward soon after, but Cameron Carter-Vickers blocked his shot. As the game entered its final 15 minutes, neither team looked likely to open the scoring. Substitutes Adam Idah and Arne Engels linked well, but Engels blazed over from 25 yards. Then Celtic had a golden chance to win the game when Daizen Maeda was released onto Anarbekov in goal. The Japanese striker raced clear of the Kairat defence but blazed his shot over the bar, the first clear-cut chance of the game and a golden opportunity wasted for the visitors. Schmeichel had to be alert to tip minutes later to tip Ofri Arad’s header round the post as the game reached its climax. The match trundled into extra time and Celtic had another opening when Idah found the onrushing Hatate after a clever channel run. A yellow jersey blocked the resultant shot to keep the scores level. Callum McGregor and Gromyko traded shots from 25 yards before Anarbekov saved a powerful Nygren strike. Luke McCowan had the first chance of the second extra time period, but his deflected strike was palmed off the line by Anarbekov with Colby Donovan pouncing on a loose ball and pulled back for Nygren, but the Swede’s close-range strike was stopped again by home keeper. Kairat Almtay held their nerve in the resultant penalty shootout, scoring four of their five to progress to the Champions League. Anarbekov was the hero once again, saving from McCowan and Idah as Celtic’s two lacklustre displays see them head for the Europa League for the first time in four seasons. PLAYER RATINGS Kairat: Anarbekov 9 Luis Mata 7 Jorginho 8 Martynovich 8 Arad 7 D Glazer 7 Tapalov 8 Mrynskiy 8 Gromyko 8 Sorokin 7 Ricardinho 8 Celtic: Schmeichel 6 Ralston 5 Carter-Vickers 6 Scales 6 Tierney 6 McGregor 5 Hatate 5 Nygren 6 Forrest 6 Maeda 5 Yang 5

August 26, 2025

Celtic left frustrated in Almaty blank

Celtic 0 Kairat Almaty 0 Going to Almaty was going to be long enough, but Celtic have to do it the hard way if they are to secure a place in the Champions League group stage this season. The Kazakh champions came to Glasgow and put in one of the best performances they could have on the European stage to frustrate and stifle the attacking talent at Celtic’s disposal. They deserved immense credit for the way they stuck to the game plan and kept the Premiership champions at bay. Now Brendan Rodgers’ side must make the 7,000 mile trip and hope his team can take a big win and into the group phase. Fans have wondered why the club haven’t spent to help give the team a fighting chance to bring in the quality they need to take them to the next level. On this display, it could be a decision that could backfire big time on them. There was an early scare on 11 minutes when Kairat’s captain Alexsandr Martynovich had space in front of the Celtic net and put the ball into the net, but the offside flag went up. The home side had their own chance a few minutes later as Kieran Tierney played a low ball into the centre, but James Forrest just couldn’t get the ball from under his feet. Kairat posed a threat going forward and Jorginho must have rued his thinking process after being fed the ball by Edmilson. Instead of shooting, he ended up dithering and seeing it taken away from him. It was a lacklustre first half hour and there was real concern when Alistair Johnston had to be carried off with a suspected hamstring injury. Anthony Ralston was his replacement. They finally got sight of goal as Benjamin Nygren played in Daizen Maeda, but Kairat goalie Alexandr Zarutsky rushed from his goal line to narrow the angle. Celtic needed much more from their forward players, who saw the first half pass them by. Rodgers thought the same as he withdrew the ineffective Adam Idah for Hyunjun Yang. And what an impact he had initially. The second period was barely a minute old when Yang played to Forrest, who controlled to take it on his left foot, but struck the base of the post with his shot. Zarutsky grabbed it gratefully. Moving Maeda into the centre, where Idah had vacated was a good move from the Celtic manager as they started to cause problems. Nearly at the hour mark, Cameron Carter-Vickers caused a problem of his own as he briefly switched off, watching the ball roll away from him in horror where Edmilson took the initiative. Spotting keeper Kasper Schmeichel off his line, he tried one from just outside the centre circle, but luckily for the Danish goalie and the centre half, it went over the crossbar. The atmosphere was a nervy one as time ticked on among the home support, who perhaps had hopes of seeing their team rack up a favourable scoreline before the daunting trip to the far end of Kazakhstan next week. Liam Scales did well to find space to meet the corner, but could only direct it over. It was a chance that was to end Zarutsky’s night, as he hobbled off injured, where he was replaced by Temirlan Anarbekov. The biggest chance of the night fell to Maeda as the ball landed in his path and his shot low on Anarbekov was in the right place to deny the Celtic hitman deep in injury time. It summed up the kind of night it was as Almaty held on for the draw, to the delight of those hardy fans who made the mammoth trip. Celtic will hope they will be smiling in Kazakhstan in Tuesday’s return leg. Celtic: Schmeichel, Johnston (Ralston 35), Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney (Trusty 76) Nygren (Yamada 76), McGregor, Hatate, Forrest (Engels 70), Idah (Yang 46), Maeda Subs Not Used: Sinisalo, Simpson-Pusey, McCowan, Osmand, Kenny, Bernardo, Murray Booked: McGregor (26), Tierney (31)

August 20, 2025

Ruthless Brugge Stun Rangers in Champions League Play-off

Rangers 1 – 3 Club Brugge Danilo (50′) Vermant (3′) Spileers (7′) Mechele (20′) A ruthless first-half display saw Club Brugge take a huge step towards back-to-back Champions League Qualification against Rangers. Russell Martin made seven changes from Saturday’s 4-2 League Cup victory over Alloa Athletic, including a debut for Brentford loanee Jayden Meghoma. But it was the visitors who enjoyed a dream start after just three minutes as a hopeful forward ball was misjudged by Nasser Djiga, allowing Romeo Vermant to latch on and burst clean through. Bearing down on Jack Butland, he delivered a clever, chipped finish that silenced the home crowd at Ibrox. The lead was doubled shortly after when Christos Tzolis delivered a floated corner for the unmarked Jorne Spileers. The Belgian defender had the freedom of Ibrox to side-foot past Butland. The nightmare for Russell Martin’s side continued after losing a third goal in the 20th minute. Brandon Mechele stepped onto a loose ball on the edge of the box and fired a low, rasping strike past Butland. The disastrous opening period saw some home fans opting for an early exit. Chances for Rangers were few and far between throughout the first half. Joe Rothwell’s free-kick kissed the post, and a dragged shot from Djeidi Gassama was the closest the hosts came to putting a dent in the away side’s lead. Carlos Forbs almost added a fourth close to halftime, but his strike from the edge of the box was tipped wide by a strong Butland hand. The half time whistle brought a chorus of boos, marking an extraordinary first half. The Belgian giants had showcased a ruthless attacking display, leaving the home side with a mountain to climb. Rangers reacted well after the break scoring five minutes into the second half. Gassama and Meghoma linked well on the left, and the latter whipped a dangerous low cross into the path of Danilo, who made no mistake with a close-range finish. Having been the sole bright spot in a dismal first half, Gassama continued to be a constant threat for the home side. He carved out another opportunity for himself, firing a right-footed strike from the edge of the box that whistled just past Simon Mignolet’s post. Despite Rangers’ improved performance, Brugge still looked dangerous on the counter. Aleksandar Stankovic found too much space in a forward area, and only a last-ditch challenge from John Souttar prevented Nicolo Tresoldi from getting an easy tap-in. Shortly after, Butland did well to smother another jabbed strike from Tresoldi. The home side thought they had a second goal on the 80th minute when Gassama poked home from close range. However, the celebrations were cut short as the goal was disallowed, with the referee ruling that Mignolet had full control of the ball prior to the winger’s touch, ending a miserable night in Govan for Martin’s men. Rangers: Butland, Aarons, Souttar, Djiga, Meghoma (Tavernier 70’), Diomande (Aasgaard 61’), Raskin, Rothwell (Cameron 86’) Antman (Moore 70’) Gassama, Danilo (Igamane 61’) Bookings: Souttar 74’ Aarons 75’ Aasgaard 90+2’ Club Brugge: Mignolet, Sabbe (Meijer 73’) Spileers, Mechele, Seys, Onyedika (Diakhon 89’) Forbs (Vetlesen 73’) Tzolis, Stankovic (Reis 85’) Vanaken, Vermant (Tresoldi 46’) Bookings: Sabbe 52’

August 18, 2025

Champions League