Bayern Munich 1 – 1 Celtic (AGG 3 – 2)
AC Milan suffered a shocking elimination in another match, as Feyenoord advanced to the next round.
The game had entered the final minutes of stoppage time, with both teams bracing for extra time. But just when it seemed inevitable, everything changed. Bayern Munich made one last desperate attempt—and luck was on their side. With a dramatic late goal, the German giants crushed Celtic’s hopes and secured their place in the Champions League Round of 16.
In the second leg of the playoff at Allianz Arena, Bayern played out a 1-1 draw, winning 3-2 on aggregate. Vincent Kompany’s side had earned a 2-1 victory in Scotland last week, which gave them a crucial edge heading into the return fixture.
However, Bayern struggled to impose their usual dominance. Instead, it was Celtic who struck first, with Nicolas Kühn finding the net in the second half. That goal put the tie on the verge of extra time. Bayern then launched relentless attacks, but nothing seemed to work—until their 23rd attempt. Finally, Alphonso Davies got the all-important touch, sealing their place in the next round.
Celtic put up a solid defensive display and came heartbreakingly close to pulling off an upset. Despite having just 30% possession and taking only five shots (three on target), they nearly made history.
Bayern had the early advantage, both from the first-leg win and their home ground support. They almost took control early when Serge Gnabry met Olise’s cross in the box, but his header was blocked by a defender.
Celtic, however, responded with a series of dangerous attacks. In the 16th minute, Kühn’s shot was on target but was cleared off the line by a defender. Just seconds later, they missed another golden opportunity.
Bayern gradually regained control, but they struggled to create clear-cut chances. Before halftime, luck wasn’t on their side either—Harry Kane’s shot beat the goalkeeper but rattled off the crossbar.
A surprising twist unfolded at the start of the second half when Kane was subbed off for Kingsley Coman.
Bayern should have broken the deadlock in the 47th minute. Leon Goretzka found himself one-on-one with Kasper Schmeichel inside the box, but the veteran goalkeeper made a brilliant save to deny him.
The match took a dramatic turn in the 63rd minute. Celtic, who had yet to take a shot in the second half, stunned the home crowd by scoring with their very first attempt. Bayern lost possession deep in their own half, and the visitors quickly capitalized. Defender Kim Min-jae failed to clear the ball, allowing Kühn to take control and fire a low strike past the keeper.
With that goal, Celtic took the lead on the night and leveled the aggregate score at 2-2.
Bayern responded immediately. Gnabry was taken off for Leroy Sané, and left-back Raphaël Guerreiro was replaced by another attacker, Davies.
The changes had an impact, as Bayern piled on the pressure. In the 74th minute, Sané weaved past multiple defenders but sent his shot wide. The home side continued their relentless push, but frustration grew as their chances kept slipping away.
In the 79th minute, Joshua Kimmich’s shot took a deflection and seemed destined for the net, but Schmeichel produced a stunning save to keep it out.
After multiple wasted opportunities, Bayern finally found the breakthrough. Goretzka’s shot was blocked by Schmeichel, and as a Celtic defender attempted to clear the rebound, the ball struck Davies and rolled over the goal line.
The Allianz Arena erupted in celebration, while Celtic players collapsed in despair.
In another game, Feyenoord pulled off a surprise result. After winning the first leg 1-0, they fell behind in the return leg but managed to equalize, securing a 1-1 draw and a 2-1 aggregate victory to reach the Round of 16.
Elsewhere, Benfica advanced after a thrilling 3-3 draw at home against Monaco, progressing with a 4-3 aggregate win.
Atalanta, however, had no answers against Club Brugge. Having lost the first leg 2-1 in Belgium, the Italian side suffered a 3-1 defeat at home, crashing out with a 5-2 aggregate loss.
