Celtic suffered the cruellest of Champions League exits after Alphonso Davies scrambled an equaliser for Bayern Munich in the final minute of stoppage time in the Allianz Arena.
The Scottish champions looked set to take the play-off into extra time after Nicolas Kuhn put them ahead in the second half from the latest in a series of good chances they created.
Bayern belatedly exerted some sustained pressure and it paid off deep into four minutes added on.
Alphonso Davies breaks Celtic hearts in Munich ⏱️#UCL pic.twitter.com/3x4tiyUFza
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 18, 2025
Kasper Schmeichel made a good stop from Leon Goretzka’s header but Davies scrambled home from close range as he tackled Cameron Carter-Vickers.
The 1-1 draw sealed a 3-2 aggregate win for Bayern but Celtic left with their heads held high after showing they could match the Bundesliga leaders for long spells.
The scale of their task had been huge. Bayern’s last home defeat in European quarter-finals came against Paris St Germain four years ago and they are unbeaten at home in the Bundesliga all season. Celtic had never won in 14 previous competitive games in Germany.
Brendan Rodgers started with Jota on the wing and Daizen Maeda as centre-forward after the Japan attacker’s first-leg move inside and goal got Celtic back into the tie.
Jeffrey Schlupp was handed a surprise start at left-back and he came under early pressure as Bayern sprayed diagonal balls to Michael Olise. The winger’s cross created the first real chance but Alistair Johnston blocked from Serge Gnabry’s header.
Celtic soon had a chance of their own when Callum McGregor’s aggressive pressing led to him bursting beyond the home defence. The midfielder was on the angle but, with eight goals this season, would have expected to hit the target. Instead he shot wide of the near post.
The chances kept coming as Celtic beat Bayern’s press and created a three-on-three. Jota did brilliantly to set up Kuhn but the former Bayern second-team winger’s shot lacked power and a defender got back to clear off the line.
Celtic kept the pressure on and Reo Hatate’s first-time pass played Arne Engels in behind, but Maeda just could not reach the Belgian’s low cross with the goal gaping.
The Japan attacker had another chance moments later when Kuhn collected a misplaced pass and set him up with Manuel Neuer stranded, but Maeda’s first-time effort cleared the bar from 20 yards.
Bayern settled down and started creating some chances without looking in control. Schmeichel beat away Harry Kane’s deflected effort, Joshua Kimmich shot wide following Olise’s cutback and the England captain missed Bayern’s best first-half chance when he hit the bar from 16 yards after another pass from the right.
It was the former Tottenham striker’s last involvement as he made way for Kingsley Coman at half-time.
Hatate wasted an opportunity to shoot inside the penalty box early in the second half but Schmeichel came to Celtic’s rescue with a trademark one-on-one stop from Goretzka.
Bayern appeared to have more urgency in their pressing and were making most of the running but Celtic capitalised on some slack defending after substitute Adam Idah came deep to collect a forward pass and send the ball forward.
Maeda looked third favourite but beat two defenders to the ball and played in Kuhn, who rode a challenge and calmly slotted past Neuer.
Celtic soon had a chance to further stun the home support when Yang Hyun-jun, on for the injured Kuhn, swung in a cross which Maeda threw himself at. Neuer was well-placed to save the header.
Bayern found a strong response. Goretzka and Leroy Sane were inches wide and Schmeichel reacted well to parry a deflected strike from Kimmich.
Celtic struggled to get out of their own half in the closing stages and the pressure eventually paid off.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. If D Nunez, N Jackson, R Hojlund were on the same team Which Artety do you like? Liverpool transfer market Somehow this is true Lionel Messi's magical feet during the 2022 World Cup. Somehow this is true What a journey it has been! Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball, AZRorganizat...
Al-Hilal determined to sign Hernandez as soon as possiblePer Fabrizio Romano, Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal are pushing to complete a transfer for Theo Hernandez from AC Milan. They have agreed on a deal with the Serie A side and have initiated talks with the Frenchman.Why new contract for Pulisic remains unsignedUSMNT star Christian Pulisic is yet to sign a new contract at AC Milan, which was ...
Bayern Munich are eyeing a move for Gabriel Martinelli, who is reportedly one of several players Arsenal will consider selling this summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Per BILD's Christian Falk, Bayern are eager to add a new player to their Harry Kane-led attack and reportedly have their eyes on Gunners star Martinelli. The German giants were also keen on signing Nico Williams from Athletic Club earlier in the s...
Manchester United are one of the clubs keen on signing the Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.According to journalist Luis Alberto Lopez, Manchester United are willing to pay €15 million in order to sign the 26-year-old goalkeeper. However, the Spanish club is ready to sell him, but they will hold out for a fee of around €20-25 million.Man United make enquiriesThe Premier League side ...
Paul Pogba agrees transfer to Champions League club as ex-Man Utd star makes 'significant financial sacrifices' to seal return to footballWHAT HAPPENED?Pogba is set to join Ligue 1 side Monaco on a free transfer after agreeing a two-year deal with the French side, as reported by Le Parisien. The former Manchester United midfielder has "made significant financial sacrifices" to seal the deal as he ...
Alfie makes clear Haaland commitment to Man CityAlfie Haaland says son Erling remains happy and committed to Manchester City.The Norway striker is back and fully fit for the Club World Cup after a difficult 12 months due to injury.Speaking with Marca, Haaland Snr said: "Real Madrid and Manchester City? I think they are the favourites to win this tournament , the Club World Cup. We are seeing some ...
Juventus fullback Cambiaso: Man City talks were niceJuventus fullback Andrea Cambiaso has confirmed talks with Manchester City in January. The Italy international attracted an approach from City - which was rejected by Juve - during the winter market last season.In the US for the Club World Cup, Cambiaso admits he spoke with City officials about a move.He said, 0"Let's say that they have almost un...
Chelsea, Man Utd threaten Juventus plans for Kolo MuaniChelsea are interested in Juventus striker Randal Kolo Muani.Kolo Muani is currently with Juve at the Club World Cup, where he is on-loan from PSG. After joining the Bianconeri in January, it was agreed that Kolo Muani could extend his loan to the end of the Club World Cup.Juve do not have a set option to sign the France international permanen...
Tottenham's Mathys Tel scored the decisive goal for the French Under-21 sideThanks to two goals in the final ten minutes, France turned a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 win as they booked their ticket for the semi-final of the U21 Euros at the expense of Denmark in an entertaining thriller Sunday evening in SlovakiaG9rald Baticle’s men came into this match looking to build on their unbeaten start (W...
Kompany hails ‘special’ Messi for lighting up Club World CupBayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany has been amased by Lionel Messi’s performances at the Club World Cup and believes fans should treasure the Inter Miami star.The Argentina international sealed a comeback win with a brilliant free-kick, giving Inter Miami a strong chance of reaching the knockout stages."Inter Miami they ...
- 1 Man Utd make decision on replacing Andre Onana with Emi Martinez this summer
- 2 Man Utd have Hugo Ekitike 'advantage'
- 3 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 4 Stunning Euro U21 reporter dubbed 'queen of Europe' in bold dress
- 5 Gareth Bale set to buy former PL club
- 6 DONE DEAL: Celta Vigo sign permanently Ilaix from RB Leipzig
- 7 Samson Tijani: Nigeria star joins Dukla Prague from RB Salzburg
- 8 Diletta Leotta sizzles in tiny bikini on inflatable flamingo
- 9 Maddison and Wag announce they're expecting twins AGAIN
- 10 Seattle Sounders vs PSG Prediction 24 June 2025