Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Celtic Crash Out of Champions League After Shootout Defeat to Kairat Almaty

Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Celtic’s Champions League dreams came to a crushing end as they lost 3-2 in a penalty shootout to Kairat Almaty in Kazakhstan. They played two goalless legs in the playoff tie to decide on a penalty shootout. The defeat means Celtic will now drop into the Europa League.

Meanwhile Kairat are celebrating reaching the Champions League group stage for the first time in their history. Brendan Rodgers’ side traveled more than 3,500 miles to Almaty for what turned out to be a frustrating and ultimately fruitless night.

🚨🇰🇿 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 | Kairat Almaty have qualified for the league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League for the FIRST time in their history! ✈️✅

What a moment for the team from Kazakhstan. Huge step for them. 👏 pic.twitter.com/dLHgRp1IE0
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) August 26, 2025

Celtic’s struggles in attack were evident throughout both legs. They lacked sharpness and creativity which cost them dearly. The Bhoys’ best chance of the night fell to Daizen Maeda in the second half when Callum McGregor’s incisive pass sent him clean through on goal.

However, the Japanese forward blazed his shot over the bar. It was a miss that proved pivotal. Earlier, James Forrest had come closest in the first half when his header was tipped onto the bar by Kairat’s 21-year-old goalkeeper Temirlan Anarbekov. He then later became the hero of the night.

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Extra time saw Celtic push harder, with substitute Luke McCowan forcing a brilliant save from Anarbekov in the 112th minute. Benjamin Nygren also tested the keeper but in vain. Despite late pressure, Kairat held firm, taking the match to penalties in the early hours of local time.

Penalty Heartbreak for Celtic

The shootout summed up Celtic’s evening – wasteful and lacking composure. Adam Idah’s opening penalty was saved by Anarbekov, who also denied McCowan. After successful conversions from Arne Engels and Callum McGregor, it came down to Maeda to keep Celtic alive.

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The forward stepped up but saw his effort stopped, sealing Kairat’s historic qualification. The rookie goalkeeper emerged as the unlikely hero with three crucial saves. For Celtic, the financial blow will be significant. The Champions League group stage was worth four times the qualification revenue and bonuses of the Europa League.

Attention now shifts to the Europa League draw, but serious questions will arise about where this leaves Rodgers’ tenure. Meanwhile, Kairat joins Astana as the only Kazakh clubs to reach the Champions League group stage. Their fairytale journey continues with the league-phase draw scheduled for Thursday in Monaco.

Celtic

Champions League

Kairat Almaty

Kairat vs Celtic

Moumita Dutta

soccer

Football writer at The Playoffs. I’ve been obsessed with the beautiful game since I was a kid.. Eventually, I realized I could combine my passion for writing with my love for football, and I’ve never looked back. My favorite part of the job is everything—when you’re doing what you love, even a late-night deadline feels like extra time in a thrilling cup final. Lastly, Lionel Messi is the GOAT.