Celtic 1-0 Young Boys: Hoops secure Champions League progression with dramatic victory | Football News happymamay

Celtic secured Champions League qualification with a Young Boys own goal on a night filled with disallowed goals, missed penalties and red card drama at Parkhead.

The Hoops knew a win at the bottom of the table would guarantee a play-off place, and Kyogo thought he had given them a dream start only to have his goal ruled out for offside.

A Callum McGregor error denied the Japanese striker another goal before a third goal was disallowed, again for offside, as they dominated a team that has yet to pick up a point in the Champions League this season.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JANUARY 22: Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel makes two saves to deny Young Boys' Darian Mals during the 2024/25 Champions League seventh stage match between Celtic and PSC Young Boys at Celtic Park, on January 22, 2025. in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Collection)
image:
Kasper Schmeichel produced a brilliant double save

Luck was not on Celtic’s side as Arne Engels’ poor penalty was easily saved after Greg Taylor was brought down in the box just before half-time.

Auston Trusty hit the crossbar before Kasper Schmeichel made a brilliant double save to deny Young Boys, but their fortunes changed when Loris Benito accidentally turned Adam Idah’s ball into his own net to spark wild celebrations.

Celtic’s Daizen Maeda was sent off for a pointless late challenge as they progressed to the knockout stages with a game to spare.

The Hoops end a 12-year wait

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JANUARY 22: Celtic full-time player Adam Idah during the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League MD7 stage match between Celtic and PSC Young Boys at Celtic Park, on January 22, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Rob Casey/SNS Collection)
image:
Ida celebrates full time

A draw would have left Celtic in need of a result at Villa Park next Wednesday, but the late goal pushed them to 18th place, equal on 12 points with Juventus, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

A win in Birmingham next week would likely see Celtic secure one of the seeded places in the play-off round, if not a top-eight finish and direct entry into the round of 16.

And the late slice of fortune was nothing less than Celtic deserved after a spirited 60-minute performance. Midfielders Callum McGregor, Ingles and Hatati controlled the play and Celtic found space through the visiting back four from the start.

Maeda and Nicholas Cone were roaming the outside regularly but deliveries weren’t quite falling flat for Furuhashi.

The Japanese striker’s first goal came from offside inside six minutes following a pass from Ingles and Cone quickly moved in behind after McGregor’s pass but saw his shot deflect wide after getting past three men.

Celtic's Kyogo Furuhashi shot the ball into the net, but it was ruled offside
image:
Kyogo Furuhashi shot into the net, but his goal was ruled out for offside

Hatate and Furuhashi fired wide from half-chances before Kasper Schmeichel made his only effort of the first half to beat out Joel Montero’s shot from 25 yards.

Furuhashi then had two goals disallowed in the space of two minutes just after the half-hour mark. The first goal was initially awarded after McGregor robbed Niasse and set up the centre-forward to foul the goalkeeper, but Norwegian referee Rohit Sagi penalized the Celtic captain for a foul following a VAR review.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JANUARY 22: Celtic's Kyogo Furuhashi runs to celebrate but his goal is disallowed for offside during the 2024/25 Champions League MD7 stage match between Celtic and PSC Young Boys at Celtic Park, on January 22, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Paul Devlin/SNS Collection)
image:
Furuhashi thought he had given Celtic an early lead

Furuhashi was then flagged for offside again after converting Maeda’s cross from close range.

Engels’ weak penalty kick in the 41st minute was saved after Taylor’s shirt was pulled, but the Belgian saved the mistake to create several chances from set-pieces before half-time. Furuhashi and Hatate came close – twice – to do so.

Celtic's Arne Engels looks dejected after missing a penalty in the first half
image:
Arne Engels looks sad about missing a penalty in the first half

The pressure continued after the break. Engels, Maida and McGregor all blocked shots and Trusty headed against the crossbar before Celtic were dealt a powerful punch only for Schmeichel to pull off a brilliant double stop from Darian Mals.

Celtic’s energy levels began to decline and Brendan Rodgers made some changes in an attempt to regain momentum, with Alex Valle and Paulo Bernardo coming on midway through the first half before Iida replaced Furuhashi.

There was no immediate impact and the visitors threatened from some set-pieces but Idah’s progress at the back led to the goal and Schmeichel saved Sandro Lauber’s effort in the final seconds of stoppage time.

The story of the match in statistics

What’s new in the Champions League?

https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/1600×900/skysports-celtic-adam-idah_6807940.jpg?20250122221830

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top