LASK fight back from three goals down to take Celtic tie into extra time

LASK overturned a three-goal first-leg deficit to beat Celtic 4-1 in Austria and force extra time in their 2026-27 Champions League qualifying tie.

Celtic had taken a commanding advantage into the second leg after winning 3-0 at Celtic Park in Scotland, but LASK produced a dramatic recovery to level the aggregate score at 4-4 after 90 minutes.

The Austrian side fell behind early in the second leg but responded with four unanswered goals, completing their comeback in stoppage time when Florian Flecker headed home after the goalkeeper had parried the initial effort.

The result means the tie will be decided in extra time, with both clubs still fighting for a place in the next stage of Champions League qualifying.

Celtic manager made his final substitution in the 77th minute, leaving Haitham Hassan on the bench. Hassan has now been named among the substitutes for Celtic for a third successive match since joining the club during the summer transfer window.

Celtic started brightly and should have increased their advantage in the 14th minute when Kasper Høgh found space close to goal. His effort was saved by the LASK goalkeeper.

Five minutes later, Mika Power went close for the Scottish side when his shot travelled narrowly wide of the left post.

Celtic eventually took the lead in the 21st minute. Tierney’s effort struck a defender, wrong-footed the goalkeeper and found the net to give the visitors a 4-0 aggregate lead.

LASK reduced the deficit before half-time following a costly defensive mistake. A poor attempt to play the ball back towards the goalkeeper allowed Moses Usor to take advantage and score in the 32nd minute.

The hosts continued their revival after the interval. Robert Ljubicic levelled the match on the night in the 48th minute with a powerful strike from outside the penalty area, leaving LASK needing only one more goal to draw level overall.

That goal arrived in the 58th minute. Samuel Adeniran sent a fierce shot into the net to make it 3-1 and give the Austrian champions renewed hope of reaching the Champions League proper.

Adeniran came close to completing the comeback in the 70th minute, but his effort hit the crossbar before Celtic’s defence cleared the danger.

LASK finally found the decisive fourth goal in the first minute of added time. Flecker reacted quickest to a rebound and headed the ball into the net, making the score 4-1 on the night and 4-4 on aggregate.

The draw for the 2026-27 Champions League is scheduled for Thursday, 27 August at 18:00, once all the teams progressing from the qualifying rounds have been confirmed.