UEFA Champions League play-offTuesday, August 26, 2025Central Stadium, Almaty FC KAIRAT…0 CELTIC…0 FC Kairat win 3-2 on penalties Celtic were defeated by FC Kairat in Kazakhstan tonight in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League play-off round, with the home side winning the match on penalties to progress to the league phase of the tournament. Inspired by the electric atmosphere their fans were generating within the Cental Stadium, FC Kairat carved out the first chance of the evening early in the match, when Valeri Gromyko tried his luck from the edge of the box, but his effort crept just wide of the post. Celtic’s first chance came with 25 minutes gone, when a perfectly-weighted cross from Reo Hatate found James Forrest six yards out from goal, but the winger’s header was well-saved by the Kairat keeper. Celtic controlled much of the possession throughout the first 45 minutes as they searched for a way through FC Kairat’s resolute defence, but, like last week’s match at Celtic Park, chances were few and far between for the Hoops. With just moments remaining in the first period, and with the Celts still dominating the play, Callum McGregor unleashed a strike from outside the box which looked like it was on a trajectory towards goal, but an FC Kairat defender was able to block the ball and keep the score level going in to the break.Celtic started the second half with intent, and a strong challenge from Callum McGregor allowed Benjamin Nygren to advance in to a shooting position with the ball, but Kairat once again showed their resilience and forced the ball clear before the Swede could get his shot away. Moments later, Celtic had to defend an indirect free-kick after Kasper Schmeichel had to use his hands to prevent a pass back from Callum McGregor ending up in the net, but Daizen Maeda bravely got his body in the way of Kairat’s shot from the set piece and the score remained 0-0. Five minutes from the end of the 90 minutes, Maeda had a huge opportunity to send Celtic through when he was sent through one-on-one with the goalkeeper after a great pass from Callum McGregor. However, the Japanese forward’s effort went over the bar from the edge of the penalty area. Moments later, Kasper Schmeichel had to make a big save to deny Ofri Arad who had broken free from Celtic’s defence and had a header on goal at the back post. With the score locked at 0-0, the match headed to extra-time, and early in the first period, Adam Idah picked out Reo Hatate in the box. The midfielder sent a shot towards goal but an FC Kairat defender was able to block the shot just yeards out from goal. Benjamin Nygren was next to have a shot on target when he pulled the trigger from the edge of the area, forcing a good save from Kairat’s keeper. At half time in extra-time, Luke McCowan was brought on for Reo Hatate, and shortly after the restart, he saw an effort from inside the box saved by the keeper just when it looked like he had given Celtic the lead. Celtic had Kairat on the back foot throughout the second period of extra-time, but the home side had their keeper to thank for keeping them in the tie, as he produced another two big saves to deny Benjamin Nygren. The match was decided by penalties, with FC Kairat ultimately securing their place in the UEFA Champions League with a 3-2 win in the shoot-out.
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