AFCON 2025
Celtic’s Champions League dream ended in heartbreak as they were stunned on penalties by Kairat Almaty, while Bodo/Glimt and Pafos celebrated historic progress into the group stage.
In Kazakhstan, Celtic were held to a goalless draw by Kairat Almaty over two legs, before collapsing in the penalty shootout. The Scottish champions missed three spot-kicks, including a crucial effort from Daizen Maeda, allowing Kairat to edge a 3–2 victory and seal their first-ever qualification for the Champions League proper.
The result was a humiliation for Celtic, who never found the creativity to break down their resilient hosts.
Elsewhere, Bodo/Glimt advanced comfortably despite losing 2–1 to Sturm Graz in Austria. Having thrashed their opponents 5–0 in the first leg, the Norwegians cruised through 6–2 on aggregate to reach the group stage for the first time since 2007.
The defeat mattered little to Bodo, who can now look forward to joining Europe’s elite once again.
The night’s biggest celebration came in Cyprus, where Pafos held Red Star Belgrade to a 1–1 draw to win 3–2 on aggregate. Jaja’s dramatic 89th-minute equaliser secured a famous result, booking the club’s maiden appearance in the Champions League group stage. The stadium erupted as players and fans alike savoured the defining moment in Pafos’ young history.
With tonight’s results, Kairat, Bodo/Glimt, and Pafos join the list of qualifiers for Thursday’s draw, which will set up the fixtures for the revamped 2025/26 Champions League league phase beginning in mid-September.
