Celtic 3 – 3 Rangers happymamay

Daizen Maeda was the winner of Celtic’s penalty as they beat holders Rangers to win the League Cup in a thrilling final at Hampden Park that finished 3-3 after extra time.

The winger scored the winning penalty after scoring in a dramatic encounter as Philippe Clement remained still searching for his first win over his old rival.

It was a drama-filled encounter as Greg Taylor made amends to gift Nadim Bajrami Rangers’ opener by equalizing after the break.

Maeda’s finishing touch put Celtic in front again but Mohamed Diomandi brought Rangers back on level terms. Nicolas Kuhn thought he had sealed the win for Celtic, but Danilo, who replaced Gers, responded immediately to take the game to extra time.

Kasper Schmeichel denied Redvan Yilmaz from the spot as Maeda sealed the victory to maintain Brendan Rodgers’ record of wins at Hampden and keep the Hoops on course for a domestic treble.

Celtic’s domestic dominance continues

The classic Glasgow derby was preceded by off-field incidents.

Both sets of fans set off fireworks that engulfed the stadium in smoke, although both clubs were under investigation for the same behavior in the semi-final.

It was the usual frantic start, with the first chance falling Rangers’ way when Ianis Hagi latched on to a loose ball at the back post, but his effort was blocked by Kasper Schmeichel before Cameron Carter-Vickers cleared the danger.

Jack Butland then made a superb save from a double shot to deny Nicolas Kone and Ryo Hatate before Kyogo Furuhashi forced another save shortly after.

It was end to end and Schmeichel reacted by stopping Leon Balogun’s header as James Tavernier’s cross created a great chance for Rangers.

The game lacked real quality in the first half but Nedim Bajrami opened the scoring before half-time after a Greg Taylor error allowed Bajrami to drive forward to pass Hamza Eghamani. The striker’s shot was blocked by Schmeichel, but Bajermi was there to tap in the rebound.

Brendan Rodgers made a forced substitution at half-time with Liam Scales replacing the injured Auston Trusty as Celtic searched for their way back to the final.

The defender headed wide from Paulo Bernardo’s free-kick before another Taylor error left Carter Vickers for four Rangers players – as he managed a last-minute challenge to prevent Igamane from doubling their lead.

Butland then denied that Kwon and Kyoghu were close to scoring before Taylor made up for his mistakes as his shot changed its direction dramatically and went past the Gers goalkeeper and entered the net.

That led to Celtic and McGregor lifting a shot over the bar before Maeda sent Celtic in front, the winger dropping the ball before firing a low shot into the net.

But Rangers would not give up, and after Ridvan Yilmaz fired over the bar and Schmeichel made a fine save, they got back into the tie when Diomande’s shot was deflected past the Hoops keeper.

Nicholas Kuhn thought he had won the title for Celtic when he put Arne Engels’ ball into the net in the 87th minute, but Danilo came off the bench to level the game again just 21 seconds later and take it to extra time.

Celtic prevailed in extra time – Rangers looked back on their feet – but the goals dried up before the penalty shootout drama.

Schmeichel was beaten by Tavernier, Hagi and Danilo before saving Yilmaz’s penalty kick, and Gers goalkeeper Butland also scored the goal.

But Celtic did not fail from the penalty spot, as Adam Idah, captain Callum McGregor, Ingles and Hatate scored before Maeda sealed the win.

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