Bayern Munich scraped through to the knockout stages of the Champions League with a dramatic 1-1 draw against Celtic at the Allianz Arena, securing progression on aggregate with a late goal from Alphonso Davies after the Scottish side had risen to the occasion throughout the match. The game took place on February 18, 2025, and was filled with tension and competitive spirit.
From the outset, Bayern showed their determination to assert dominance. Their fans were vocal, as chants of ‘Europapokal’ rang throughout the stadium. Serge Gnabry had the first major chance merely three minutes in, but his header was cleared by Alistair Johnston, the tenacious Canadian defender for Celtic. This initial miss set the tone for the match, as Celtic soon grew increasingly confident, pushing onto the front foot.
Despite Bayern holding onto more possession, Celtic found opportunities early on. Callum McGregor produced one of the best chances of the first half but could not convert, and then, just minutes later, Nicolas Kuhn saw his soft effort scuffed off the line. Moments after, Daizen Maeda almost connected with Arne Engels' cross, highlighting Celtic's threat against the Bundesliga leaders.
Harry Kane, who had started for Bayern, came inches away from scoring before halftime when he rattled the crossbar with a curling shot from the edge of the box. Nonetheless, the England striker’s night was cut short due to injury and he was substituted for Kingsley Coman at the break.
After halftime, the game remained competitive, with both teams struggling to find rhythm. Then, disaster struck for Bayern as Celtic capitalized on defensive errors. Nicolas Kuhn, who had previously been denied by solid defending, found the net after slipping past Kim Min-jae and coolly slotted the ball past Manuel Neuer, sending the visiting supporters wild with joy.
This 63rd-minute goal gave Celtic hope as they leveled the score on aggregate. Bayern reacted with urgency, but they continued to struggle against Celtic's organized defense. Leon Goretzka’s missed header was reminiscent of Bayern’s continued frustrations, showing the mounting pressure on the hosts as they sought to equalize.
With ten minutes remaining, Leroy Sané and Joshua Kimmich both saw efforts kept at bay, and Celtic stood resolute, poised to take the leading role as the match headed for extra time. Yet, the tide began to shift deep within stoppage time.
Controversy filled the closing moments. Bayern pressed desperately when Goretzka’s powerful header was well saved by Celtic’s goalkeeping hero, Kasper Schmeichel. But as fate would have it, the ball rebounded straight to Alphonso Davies, who bundled home the equalizer from close range. The goal came as the 94th-minute strike sealed Celtic's heartbreaking fate, as Bayern triumphed 3-2 on aggregate.
Celtic’s head coach, Brendan Rodgers, expressed his disappointment yet pride afterwards, stating, "We didn't give away too much, and denied them space as well. A real heroic performance and just unfortunate in the end." His sentiments were echoed by team captain Callum McGregor, who highlighted the game as one of the cruelest experiences he had faced, emphasizing, "We come off with no regrets. It’s real, real sore win, but I think we can be proud of ourselves." These comments underscored Celtic's fight throughout the match.
Despite falling short, Rodgers is optimistic about the future, believing the experience would strengthen the team's resolve for upcoming seasons. Post-match, he noted, "Our European credibility has been restored this season. We've shown real quality at times. Hopefully, come next season, we can improve the squad even more."
Chris Sutton, who analyzed the match for Sky Sports, reflected on Bayern’s luck, emphasizing, "Sometimes it'sbetter to be lucky than good, and that's what Bayern were this evening." This sentiment echoed the general belief among pundits and supporters alike — Bayern's historical experience shining through at the final moment. While the German giants advance to the last 16, Celtic's valiant but unlucky showing serves as both heartbreak and validation of their capabilities on the European stage. They continue to dream of progressing beyond the knockouts, aiming to seize their next opportunity when European competitions roll around again.