Celtic collapse in Linz as Lask overturn four-goal deficit to knock them out of Champions League
Celtic were eliminated from the Champions League in Linz, Austria, on 25 August 2026 after surrendering a four-goal aggregate lead, losing the second leg 5-1 to Lask and missing out on the group stage for the second year running.
The Scottish champions had appeared comfortable when Callum McGregor’s 21st-minute deflected strike put them 4-0 up on aggregate, but the result in Austria proved costly both on the pitch and financially, described in the report as a "£20m-plus" blow. Celtic created several chances in the first half, yet Lask gained a foothold when Moses Usor pounced on a loose pass from Benjamin Nygren to make it 1-1 on the night in the 32nd minute.
The tie unravelled early in the second half after Usor outmuscled Auston Trusty and fed Robert Ljubicic, who drove home from 20 yards three minutes after the restart. Celtic’s problems deepened in the 58th minute when Samuel Adeniran curled a first-time strike into the top corner from 25 yards to level the aggregate and put Lask ahead on the night.
Celtic faced waves of pressure as several attempts flew past Viljami Sinisalo’s goal before he produced a strong stop from Sascha Horvath; João Victor Tornich then headed inches wide from the resulting corner. Adeniran struck the underside of the bar later in the half as Lask maintained momentum and Celtic adjusted their shape, bringing on Liam Scales and Dane Murray to join Auston Trusty and Cameron Carter-Vickers in defence.
Sascha Tornich’s header prompted another fine save from Sinisalo, but Florian Flecker converted the rebound in stoppage time to force an additional 30 minutes. Manager Martin O’Neill used his bench further in extra-time, with Anthony Ralston replacing Carter-Vickers as Celtic sought to steady themselves.
Despite those changes, Adeniran completed a late decisive strike, firing home from 25 yards with five minutes remaining after dispossessing Luke McCowan, and Celtic were unable to create a meaningful response after Sinisalo had earlier saved a penalty that would have completed the striker’s hat-trick. The loss eliminates Celtic from the Champions League and sends them into the Europa League.
Celtic’s exit continues a run of failure to reach the Champions League group stage for a second successive season; the club had been knocked out on penalties at the playoff stage last season after failing to sign a proven striker and then drawing a blank against Kairat Almaty, and supporters will question the decision to sell Arne Engels just ahead of the first leg after midfield control was lost in Austria.