Europa League: Celtic reach the last 32 after frantic finale
Last updated on .From the section European Football
Nineteen minutes of madness. Nineteen minutes during which Celtic fans went from the depths of despair to unbridled elation.
European nights at Celtic Park are rarely dull, but the 2-1 Europa League defeat by Salzburg - or rather the events 1,000 miles away in Leipzig - will go down as one of the most dramatic in recent memory.
Going into their final Group B tie, Brendan Rodgers' side needed a point to confirm qualification for the last 32. But things didn't exactly go to plan.
With 15 minutes left, the Scottish champions were a goal down and on the brink of elimination, given Leipzig were winning 1-0 in their corresponding match against Rosenborg. Then the madness ensued...
21:32 GMT - Gordon's howler
With Leipzig leading Rosenborg 1-0 in Germany, Celtic began their earnest attempt to find a late equaliser. However, the impetus was drained from them when a Craig Gordon throw-out was intercepted by an opportunistic Fredrik Gulbrandsen, who walked the ball into the back of the net. Claiming the point they needed to secure qualification had gone from unlikely to downright impossible.
21:37 - Ajer's miss
Despite having the odds stacked against them, the Scottish champions pushed for the two late goals they needed. Then came their big chance. Filip Benkovic managed to head a cross towards the back post only for Kristoffer Ajer to somehow shovel the ball up and over the crossbar from three yards out. Nothing was going their way.
21:41 - Rosenborg level in Leipzig
It started with a murmur, developed into a commotion, then exploded into a roar. Just when all seemed lost and European football in the new year was slipping away, news came through that Rosenborg defender Tore Reginiussen had equalised for the hitherto hapless Norwegians in Leipzig. With just four minutes of normal time left at the Red Bull Arena, the Bundesliga side suddenly found themselves back in third spot, with a startled Celtic promoted back to second.
21:47 - Ntcham misses... then scores
The mood had changed at Celtic Park. Misery had metamorphosed into anxious bedlam. Then the home support had a goal to cheer. Benkovic once again found himself in the Salzburg box and was this time brought down by a clumsy tackle. Olivier Ntcham stepped up and, because things weren't dramatic enough, he scudded his penalty against a post via the hand of goalkeeper Alexander Walke. Mercifully for Celtic, it bounced back into his path and he rammed it into the net at the second attempt.
21:49 - Full-time at Red Bull Arena
As Celtic fans frantically checked their phones, confirmation finally came through that the four minutes of stoppage time in Leizpig were up and Celtic were through to the knockout rounds. There were still a couple of minutes to play in Glasgow, mind, after the nasty injury suffered by Ryan Christie.
21:51 - Full-time at Celtic Park
A long blast of the referee's whistle concluded a ridiculous 19 minutes across two stadiums in two countries. Celtic were through thanks to the most unlikely of results 1,000 miles away in Germany.
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As for being "lucky" tonight, well Celtic lost two p[layes to injury, the keeper gifted Salzburg a goal and Ajer missed an incredible sitter, lucky right enough!
Well done Celtic 💚
We lost Dembele in the Sumer and now Griffiths itsnot exactly great preparation when coming up against a side like Salzburg who btw are a Champions League Level side.
They will give any side in the Europa a tough game no danger.
We have the finances to strengthen in this window and I suspect that is what we will do.
Fortunately Celtic have the strength to once again fly the flag for Scotland!!
Here we go, 10 in a row!!
Oh Rosenborg I love you.
The big result was in Trondheim last round not Germany this round.
Celtic “Scrape Through” with 3 wins and Leipzig didny.
We DID go through on merit by virtue of the fact that we ended up with more points , the fact that Rosenborg finally managed to get a draw and not be beaten in EVERY match they played is to be celebrated , the players showed the personal dignity to not end their tournament as the biggest losers by losing every match , whilst the team that beat us WON every match !
The Salzburg team of last night pressed high but they definitely didn’t play as well as people think, Celtic couldn’t string more than 2 passes at times.. rogic looked a yard of the pace every time he received the ball. There were too many empty shirts, the team struggle with confidence at times and there is no dynamic play from the. So who is to blame?
9 points, second place, the work was done over the period.
The stats don't lie!
We love the big nights under the lights.
We are all aware of our limitations, unlike others!