
Bayern Strike in 94th Minute to End
Celtic’s Champions League Journey
Munich, 19 Feb (ONA) — Celtic’s
Champions League adventure came to a halt in gut-wrenching fashion as Bayern
Munich struck in the 94th minute to deny them a stunning victory in Germany and
snatch a 3-2 aggregate victory.
Trailing 2-1 after the first leg of
the play-off round at Parkhead, Celtic led when Nicolas Kuhn capitalised on Kim
Min-jae’s error to give Brendan Rodgers’ side a shock lead just after the hour.
That was after a first half in which
Celtic passed up four fine opportunities to score – Kuhn, Callum McGregor, and
Daizen Maeda, twice, all going close – while England captain Harry Kane hit the
bar before he was substituted at half-time.
Celtic would not be denied after the
break, though, when Maeda burst forward and funnelled the ball to Kuhn, who
took advantage of Kim’s hesitancy to slip past Manuel Neuer.
Bayern, stunned into action, pushed
for a leveller. Leon Goretzka nodded wide; Joshua Kimmich forced Kasper
Schmeichel into a fine save; and Leroy Sane drilled a shot just past the post.
Celtic were on the back foot, unable
to get out of their own half and counter Vincent Kompany’s side, and eventually
– with extra time within sight – they cracked to concede with the last kick of
the game, BBC sports reported.
Michael Olise’s cross was met by
Goretzka, whose header was brilliantly saved by Schmeichel. The ball dropped in
front of the empty goal, and Cameron Carter-Vickers’ attempts to clear were
thwarted by Alphonso Davies, who bundled over the line.
— Ends/Khalid