Bayern Munich’s return to the Champions League final at home was a missed opportunity, as they suffered an agonizing 1-0 aggregate defeat to Celtic. The Scottish side produced one of the finest performances by a team away from home in Europe in living memory, with Alphonso Davies’ late goal being the only thing separating them from victory.
Celtic’s growth and maturity in European club football were on full display, as they showcased a level of composure and control that belied their underdog status. The visitors took an early lead, but Bayern fought back, only to be denied by Davies’ fortunate goal.
The German giants were criticized for their untidiness and lack of cohesion, despite holding an overall lead. Joshua Kimmich’s miss and Serge Gnabry’s wayward pass into the hands of Kasper Schmeichel were just two examples of Bayern’s inability to capitalize on their chances.
In a surprising turn of events, Harry Kane sat out the game due to a facial injury, but his presence was felt, as he had tested Schmeichel with a deflected effort. However, it was Reo Hatate who ultimately scored the winner for Celtic, after Raphaël Guerreiro’s attempted clearance from goal-line clearance sailed back into play.
The victory marked one of the greatest moments in Scottish football history, and Celtic can reflect positively on their performance against European giants. For Bayern, the defeat is a bitter pill to swallow, especially given their redemption story following last year’s penalty shootout loss to Chelsea.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/feb/18/bayern-munich-celtic-champions-league-playoff-second-leg-match-report