Champions League Play-Offs: Moses Usor, Adeniran Inspire LASK Comeback as Celtic Historic Collapse
Moses Usor and Samuel Adeniran were on target as LASK produced a sensational comeback from four goals down on aggregate to beat Celtic 5-1 after extra time and secure a historic place in the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League league phase.
LASK headline an extraordinary night of Champions League play-off action after overturning a 4-0 aggregate deficit to eliminate Celtic, while Sabah FK and Bodø/Glimt also booked their places in Europe’s elite competition.
The three clubs completed their qualification on Tuesday night, with LASK and Sabah producing dramatic comebacks and Bodø/Glimt advancing comfortably.
LASK 5-1 Celtic (AET) — LASK win 5-4 on aggregate.
The night’s biggest drama unfolded in Linz, where Celtic suffered a spectacular collapse despite entering the second leg with a commanding 3-0 first-leg advantage.
Callum McGregor appeared to have ended LASK’s hopes when he put Celtic ahead in the 21st minute, extending the Scottish champions’ aggregate advantage to 4-0.
But LASK responded almost immediately.
Moses Usor pulled one back in the 32nd minute, before Robert Ljubičić levelled the match early in the second half.
Samuel Adeniran then reduced the aggregate deficit to one with a superb finish in the 58th minute, sending the Raiffeisen Arena into a frenzy.
LASK continued to dominate and were rewarded in stoppage time when Florian Flecker headed home to make it 4-1 and force extra time.
Adeniran completed the extraordinary turnaround in the 109th minute with his second goal of the night, putting LASK ahead 5-4 on aggregate.
The forward had an opportunity to complete his hat-trick from the penalty spot but saw his effort saved by Viljami Sinisalo.
Celtic could not find a response, however, as LASK secured their first-ever Champions League league-phase qualification.
The result represents one of the most dramatic collapses in Celtic’s European history, with the Scottish champions surrendering a four-goal aggregate lead and dropping into the Europa League.
Sabah FK 5-2 Hapoel Be’er Sheva (AET) — Sabah win 6-4 on aggregate
Sabah FK also completed a remarkable comeback to reach the Champions League league phase for the first time.
Trailing 2-1 from the first leg, Sabah fell behind again when Igor Zlatanović scored in the 10th minute.
Christian Nwachukwu restored hope for the Azerbaijani side before Guy Mizrahi put Hapoel back in front.
Sabah refused to give up, with Umarali Rakhmonaliev reducing the deficit before Tellur Mutallimov struck in the fourth minute of stoppage time to force extra time.
Orphe Mbina and Joy-Lance Mickels then scored in extra time as Sabah completed a 5-2 victory on the night and 6-4 aggregate triumph.
Bodø/Glimt 3-0 NEC — Bodø/Glimt win 6-1 on aggregate
Bodø/Glimt completed a straightforward qualification against NEC Nijmegen, winning the second leg 3-0 to progress 6-1 on aggregate.
NEC goalkeeper Gonzalo Crettaz was sent off after only three minutes, leaving the Dutch side facing an uphill battle.
Fredrik André Bjørkan opened the scoring before Sondre Auklend doubled the advantage shortly before half-time.
A Deveron Fonville own goal completed the scoring as Bodø/Glimt secured Champions League football for a second consecutive season.
Results at a glance
Match
LASK 5-1 Celtic
(5-4 Agg) LASK qualified
Sabah FK 5-2 Hapoel Be’er Sheva (AET)
(6-4 Agg )Sabah qualified
Bodø/Glimt 3-0 NEC
(6-1 Agg) Bodø/Glimt qualified
What’s next?
The final four Champions League league-phase places will be decided on Wednesday, with AEK Athens vs Levski Sofia, Viking vs Dinamo Zagreb, Celje vs Slovan Bratislava and Lyon vs Fenerbahçe completing the play-off schedule.
The 2026/27 Champions League league-phase draw will take place on Thursday, August 27, with the league phase scheduled to begin in September.
