Bologna And Celtic Share Four-Goal Thriller In Europa League Clash

The UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase delivered a dramatic showdown at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on January 22, 2026, as Bologna and Celtic battled to a pulsating 2-2 draw. The match was a rollercoaster of momentum swings, individual brilliance, and costly mistakes, keeping fans on the edge of their seats right up until the final whistle.

Celtic, fresh from a string of competitive European fixtures, wasted no time stamping their authority on the game. In just the sixth minute, the Glasgow side seized a golden opportunity thanks to a disastrous error from Bologna goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski. Making his first start since November after recovering from injury, Skorupski misjudged a routine pass back. Daizen Maeda pounced on the loose ball, quickly squaring it for Reo Hatate, who made no mistake slotting into the empty net. As CBS Sports Golazo Network described it, it was an “absolute DISASTER at the back for Bologna,” and a lucky break for Celtic, who suddenly found themselves ahead early on.

But Celtic weren’t done. As the first half progressed, they continued to press their advantage. Their persistence paid off in the 31st minute when Auston Trusty doubled the lead. Rising above the defense during a corner, Trusty powered a left-footed shot from close range into the top left corner, with Arne Engels providing the crucial assist. The visitors looked comfortable and composed, heading into halftime with a commanding 2-0 lead.

Bologna, however, refused to go quietly in front of their home crowd. The Italian side regrouped during the break and emerged with renewed energy. The second half was a different story altogether. Bologna began to dominate possession and create chances, launching wave after wave of attacks against Kasper Schmeichel’s goal. The pressure finally told in the 60th minute. Following a well-worked corner, Jens Odgaard nodded the ball into the path of Thijs Dallinga, who headed home from close range to cut the deficit in half. The stadium erupted as hope returned to the Rossoblu faithful.

The momentum had clearly shifted. Bologna pressed forward relentlessly, with Riccardo Orsolini and Benja Domínguez both coming agonizingly close to leveling the score. The woodwork denied Domínguez, while Schmeichel was called into action multiple times to maintain Celtic’s slender advantage. Celtic, meanwhile, tried to weather the storm, making tactical substitutions as Paulo Bernardo and Johnny Kenny entered the fray to provide fresh legs.

As the clock ticked toward full time, Bologna’s persistence paid off once more. In the 87th minute, following another corner conceded by Arne Engels, Jonathan Rowe unleashed a thunderous left-footed shot from outside the box. The ball soared into the high center of the net, sending the home crowd into delirium and bringing the score to 2-2. Celtic’s defense, so resolute in the first half, had finally been breached again.

The final minutes saw both sides pushing for a winner. Bologna’s Orsolini and Odgaard each had late chances, but their efforts sailed just high or wide of the target. On the other end, Celtic’s Johnny Kenny forced a smart save from Skorupski, who redeemed himself with a crucial stop in the dying moments. The fourth official announced five minutes of added time, but neither team could find the decisive goal. The referee’s whistle confirmed a share of the spoils—an outcome that felt just about right after such a fiercely contested affair.

The match statistics reflected the intensity and drama on display. Bologna’s attacking intent was clear, with repeated corners and a barrage of shots, many blocked or saved by Schmeichel. Celtic’s early efficiency was offset by a more defensive posture in the second half, as they sought to protect their lead. The game featured a flurry of yellow cards and tactical fouls, with both Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda among those booked for Celtic, and Juan Miranda for Bologna. Injuries and substitutions added further complexity, with both managers forced to adjust on the fly as the match ebbed and flowed.

For Skorupski, it was a bittersweet return to the starting lineup. His early blunder gifted Celtic their opener, but his late saves helped preserve a point for Bologna. For Celtic manager and fans alike, the result will feel like a missed opportunity after such a commanding start. Yet, considering the relentless pressure from Bologna in the second half, a draw might ultimately be a fair reflection of the contest.

This result leaves both teams still jostling for position in the competitive Europa League league phase. Bologna’s draw keeps them in the mix, while Celtic will need to regroup and address their second-half vulnerabilities if they hope to progress further. The broader Europa League landscape remains fiercely contested, with teams like Rangers, Ludogorets, and Freiburg all battling for knockout round spots. Celtic’s Scottish rivals, Rangers, faced Bulgarian side Ludogorets in the same phase, seeking to end a nine-match winless streak in the competition. Meanwhile, Ludogorets’ Petar Stanic continues to impress as the Europa League’s leading scorer, highlighting the quality and unpredictability of this year’s tournament.

The Stadio Renato Dall’Ara crowd witnessed a true European classic—two teams trading blows, momentum shifting with each passing minute, and drama until the very end. As the Europa League group phase draws to a close, both Bologna and Celtic will take lessons from this encounter. For now, though, they’ll have to settle for a point apiece, knowing that every result counts in the race for European glory.

With the dust settled and the points shared, all eyes now turn to the next round of fixtures. Will Celtic bounce back and rediscover their early-match sharpness? Can Bologna build on their spirited second-half display? The answers will come soon enough, as the Europa League drama continues to unfold.