Bayern Munich secured a dramatic UEFA Champions League last-16 spot after Alphonso Davies’ 94th-minute goal sealed a 2-1 victory over Celtic in Bavaria. The Canadian full-back came off the bench to deliver a crushing blow to Brendan Rodgers’ side, who were moments away from forcing extra time in a thrilling European clash.
Despite putting in one of their best European performances in recent history, Celtic were left heartbroken as Davies’ late strike overshadowed an impressive display that had Bavarians on the ropes for large portions of the match. Nicolas Kühn had earlier given Celtic the lead, capitalizing on a defensive mistake, but Bayern’s persistence paid off in the dying seconds.
Celtic’s Missed First-Half Opportunities
Celtic entered the Allianz Arena determined to cause an upset, and they started the match on the front foot. They created a golden three-minute period in the first half where they had three chances to take the lead.
Former Bavarian reserve player Nicolas Kühn came close first, benefiting from a great setup by Jota, but his shot was cleared off the line by Raphael Guerreiro. Moments later, Kühn turned provider, flashing a low cross across the goal, but Daizen Maeda failed to get his feet right, missing a clear scoring opportunity.
Bayern’s usually composed defense looked rattled, and Dayot Upamecano’s misplaced pass handed Celtic a three-on-two counterattack. However, Maeda’s early shot wasted what could have been a crucial moment for the visitors.
Bayern’s Response and Kane’s Close Call
For much of the first half, Bayern looked second-best, but they reminded Celtic of their attacking threat with moments of quality.
Inside the first five minutes, Michael Olise delivered a perfect cross to Serge Gnabry, but Celtic’s Alistair Johnston scrambled back to deny the winger at the far post.
Just before halftime, Harry Kane almost broke the deadlock, unleashing a powerful shot from the edge of the area that rattled the crossbar. It was a warning sign to Celtic that even an under-par Bayern side remained dangerous.
Second-Half Drama: Kühn Puts Celtic Ahead
Surprisingly, Harry Kane did not return for the second half, with Vincent Kompany opting to substitute his star striker. Despite losing their leading forward, Bayern nearly scored within minutes of the restart, but Kasper Schmeichel produced a brilliant save to deny Leon Goretzka in a one-on-one situation.
However, it was Celtic who struck first, punishing Bayern’s defensive fragility. A mix-up between Joshua Kimmich and Kim Min-Jae saw both players fail to clear the ball, allowing Kühn to steal possession and fire past Manuel Neuer, putting Celtic 1-0 ahead and leveling the tie on aggregate.
With the goal, Celtic fans dared to dream, as they were just minutes away from taking Bavarians to extra time.
Bayern Fight Back as Schmeichel Stands Tall
Going behind sparked urgency in Bavarians attack, and Vincent Kompany’s men threw everything forward in search of an equalizer.
Celtic’s Kasper Schmeichel made a series of outstanding saves, denying Goretzka, Kimmich, and Guerreiro in quick succession. The Danish goalkeeper was putting in a man-of-the-match performance, frustrating Bayern’s attackers and keeping Celtic’s hopes alive.
However, Bavarians continued to apply relentless pressure, pushing Celtic deeper into their own half.
Davies Breaks Celtic Hearts at the Death
Just when it looked like extra time was inevitable, Bavarians found the breakthrough in stoppage time. Schmeichel once again made an incredible save to keep out Goretzka’s header, but the ball fell perfectly for Alphonso Davies, who reacted quickly to scramble home the rebound.
-: Davies’ last-gasp goal sends us into the last 16!!!
#FCBayern #MiaSanMia | #FCBCEL #UCL pic.twitter.com/N8Cz8t8Yee
— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) February 18, 2025
The 94th-minute winner sent Bayern Munich into the last 16, while Celtic’s European journey came to a heartbreaking end despite their gallant effort.
What’s Next for Bayern and Celtic?
With their place in the Champions League knockout stage secured, Bayern now await the draw on Friday, where they could face either Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen or LaLiga giants Atlético Madrid.
For Celtic, it’s a bitter end to their European adventure, but Brendan Rodgers’ side can take pride in their performance, proving they can compete with Europe’s best. Their focus will now shift back to domestic competitions, as they aim to challenge for the Scottish Premiership title and return to the Champions League next season.
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