Celtic secured a historic spot in the Champions League knockout stage for the first time in 12 years, thanks to a dramatic 1-0 victory over Young Boys. The match was marked by a late own goal from Loris Benito, which sealed the win for the Scottish champions. Despite facing a challenging game, which included a first-half penalty miss, three disallowed goals, and a red card for Daizen Maeda, Celtic held firm and clinched a place in the top 24 of the 36-team table, ensuring their progression to the play-off round.
The victory pushed Celtic up to 18th place ahead of their upcoming match against Aston Villa. Manager Brendan Rodgers reflected on the achievement, calling it a historic night for the club. "For the supporters, it’s an amazing night," he said, praising his team's resilience. "We kept going, kept fighting, kept believing and got the points." This marks a significant turnaround for Celtic, who had struggled in the competition for years, having not won a single Champions League game for seven years prior to last season.
Rodgers also expressed pride in the team's performance, noting the importance of maintaining this level of play in the future. "To have 12 points at this stage is fantastic from where the club has been," he added. "The idea is to be able to sustain this level over the coming years." Young Boys, who had already been eliminated from contention with a winless campaign, struggled throughout, with Celtic applying pressure early on. The Scottish side had three goals ruled out in the first half, leading to frustration, but they continued to push forward.
Despite tiring in the second half, Celtic capitalized on their pressure in the 81st minute when Adam Idah’s shot was saved, leading to Benito’s own goal. Maeda’s red card followed soon after, adding to the tension, but Celtic held on through five minutes of stoppage time to secure the victory. The match also featured a standout performance from Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who made critical saves to keep his team in the game, highlighting his value after signing a contract extension earlier in the day.
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