Celtic suffer historic Champions League collapse as LASK overturn three-goal deficit

LASK produced one of the most dramatic comebacks in Champions League qualifying history as they beat Celtic 5-1 to overturn a three-goal first-leg deficit and reach the competition’s group stage for the first time. Haissem Hassan watched the entire match from the substitutes’ bench and did not feature for Celtic.

Celtic had taken a commanding advantage into the second leg after winning 3-0 at home, but their hopes of completing the tie disappeared in Austria as LASK scored five times, including twice in extra time.

The result means Celtic drop into the Europa League, while LASK progress to the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history.

Celtic appeared to be in control when Tierney opened the scoring in the 21st minute. However, LASK were level 11 minutes later after a serious defensive mistake. A poorly judged pass back towards the goalkeeper was intercepted by LASK forward Moses Usor, who calmly finished into the net.

The home side went into half-time level at 1-1, but Celtic were unable to contain their opponents after the break.

Robert Ljubicic put LASK ahead three minutes into the second half with a powerful effort from outside the penalty area. Samuel Adeniran then extended the advantage in the 58th minute with another fierce long-range strike.

Celtic needed to avoid conceding again to preserve their aggregate lead, but LASK scored a decisive fourth goal in the first minute of added time. Florian Flecker reacted quickest after the goalkeeper had saved the initial effort and followed up to make it 4-1.

That sent the tie into extra time, where Adeniran struck again in the 109th minute. His second goal of the night, another spectacular shot from outside the box, completed LASK’s remarkable turnaround.

The Austrian club could have added a sixth, but Celtic’s goalkeeper saved a 115th-minute penalty from Adeniran. The stop denied him the chance to complete a historic hat-trick, although LASK had already secured one of the most notable results in the qualifying rounds.

In another qualifier, Sabah Baku also reached the Champions League for the first time after defeating Hapoel Be’er Sheva 5-2. The Azerbaijani side had lost the first leg 2-1, but the tie remained level at 2-2 until the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Sabah Baku scored again at 90 minutes and four seconds to force extra time, before adding two further goals to complete an emphatic victory.

Sabah Baku are one of the newest clubs to reach the Champions League, having been established nine years ago. They qualified after winning the Azerbaijani league last season, finishing above Qarabag FK.

Norwegian club Bodø/Glimt also secured their place in the Champions League by beating NEC Nijmegen 3-0 in the second leg. Bodø/Glimt had already won the first meeting 3-1 away from home and completed a 6-1 aggregate victory.

The Champions League draw will take place on Thursday, 27 August at 18:00, once all of the clubs qualifying through the preliminary rounds have been confirmed.