Celtic Heartbreak: Kairat Shock in Penalty Thriller as Bodo/Glimt and Pafos Make Champions League History
Celtic’s Champions League dreams came crashing down in dramatic fashion on Tuesday night, as the Scottish giants were eliminated in a penalty shootout by Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty.
After two tense, goalless legs in the playoff tie, the match went to spot-kicks where Celtic faltered. Kairat held their nerve to win 3-2, sealing their first-ever appearance in the Champions League proper and sending shockwaves across Europe.
A Night to Forget for Celtic
It was a night of frustration for Brendan Rodgers’ side. Chances were scarce across 210 minutes of football, echoing the cagey first leg in Glasgow.
The decisive moment came in the shootout when Daizen Maeda’s miss handed victory to Kairat. Celtic had already wasted two earlier penalties, leaving the door wide open for the hosts.
Luke McCowan nearly spared the Hoops’ blushes deep into extra time, but Kairat goalkeeper Temirlan Anarbekov produced a stunning reflex save to deny him in the 112th minute. That stop proved priceless, setting up a historic night for Kazakhstan football.
History Made in Norway and Cyprus
Celtic weren’t the only headline-makers. Norway’s Bodo/Glimt and Cyprus’s Pafos both sealed Champions League debuts with playoff triumphs of their own.
Bodo/Glimt advanced despite a 2-1 defeat to Austria’s Sturm Graz. Their 5-0 thrashing at home in the first leg gave them a comfortable 6-2 aggregate win, ensuring Norway will have a representative in the group stage for the first time since Rosenborg back in 2007.
In Cyprus, Pafos completed their fairytale run with a nail-biting finish against Red Star Belgrade. With the tie balanced at 1-1 on the night, local hero Jaja struck in the 89th minute to seal a 3-2 aggregate victory. The coastal city erupted as the team held firm through nearly ten minutes of stoppage time.
What’s Next
The Champions League league-phase draw takes place Thursday in Monaco, with the first round of matches scheduled from September 16–18.
With Kairat, Bodo/Glimt, and Pafos entering the spotlight for the very first time, Europe’s biggest stage will feature three new stories to follow—and three fanbases daring to dream.
✨ Summary
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Celtic crash out after a 3-2 penalty shootout loss to Kairat Almaty.
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Kairat qualify for their first-ever Champions League group stage.
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Bodo/Glimt (Norway) and Pafos (Cyprus) also book debut appearances.
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League-phase draw: Thursday in Monaco; matches begin September 16–18.
⚽ The Champions League is already delivering drama before the group stage even begins. Which of the debut teams will make the biggest impact? Stay tuned for the draw this Thursday!
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