In a night of heartbreak and frustration at Celtic Park, Celtic’s Europa League journey took a bitter turn as they succumbed to a 0-2 defeat against Sporting Braga, in a match overshadowed by a highly controversial VAR decision that ruled out what could have been a vital goal by Kelechi Iheanacho.
The Scottish champions, backed by a roaring home crowd, produced moments of thrilling attacking football but were ultimately undone by defensive lapses and a debatable officiating call that left fans and players furious. Braga, composed and clinical, capitalized on their chances to claim a crucial away win — one that could define the balance of the tie.
A Night Set for Drama at Celtic Park
It was a crisp, electric evening in Glasgow as more than 58,000 fans packed Celtic Park, waving scarves and singing in unison as the Hoops prepared for another European night under the lights.
Celtic’s manager, Brendan Rodgers, had urged his men to “show courage and discipline” against a technically gifted Braga side known for their swift transitions and pressing game. Having drawn their opening group fixture, Celtic needed a strong result to keep their Europa League qualification hopes alive.
Rodgers fielded an attacking lineup, with Kyogo Furuhashi leading the line and Luis Palma and Yang Hyun-jun flanking him. In midfield, Matt O’Riley and Callum McGregor controlled the tempo, while Kelechi Iheanacho, on loan from Leicester City, started just behind the front three — a tactical adjustment aimed at increasing creativity in the final third.
Braga, managed by Artur Jorge, arrived with quiet confidence. The Portuguese outfit, known for their tactical discipline, featured star midfielder Ricardo Horta and striker Simon Banza, who had scored four goals in his last three appearances.
Celtic Start Strong but Fail to Capitalize
The match began with Celtic dictating tempo and showing early intent. In the opening ten minutes, they pressed Braga high, forcing the visitors into several misplaced passes. Kyogo nearly opened the scoring in the 12th minute when he latched onto a through ball from O’Riley, but Braga’s goalkeeper Matheus made a brave save at his feet. Moments later, Palma curled a dangerous free kick just wide of the far post.
Celtic’s energy was infectious — their quick passing and relentless pressing had Braga pinned back. But as the half progressed, the visitors began to find their rhythm, slowing the game and exploiting spaces behind Celtic’s full-backs.
The warning signs were there when Braga’s Bruma broke down the left and squared for Banza, whose close-range effort was brilliantly blocked by defender Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Braga Strike First Against the Run of Play
Despite Celtic’s dominance in possession, it was Braga who struck first.
In the 28th minute, a swift counterattack caught Celtic’s defense off guard. Ricardo Horta threaded a perfect pass between the lines to Simon Banza, who shrugged off his marker and slotted the ball past Joe Hart with a calm finish.
The away bench erupted, while Celtic Park fell silent — stunned by the sudden reversal of momentum.
Replays showed that Banza might have been marginally offside, prompting loud appeals from Celtic players and fans. But after a brief VAR check, the goal was allowed to stand, adding to the home crowd’s growing frustration.
Rodgers, visibly incensed, urged his players to stay composed, but the decision appeared to rattle them. Braga, buoyed by the opener, tightened their shape and began frustrating Celtic’s attempts to break them down.
Iheanacho’s Moment — and the Controversy That Followed
As the second half kicked off, Celtic came out with renewed urgency. The Hoops surged forward, driven by their midfield trio and the relentless support of the fans.
In the 55th minute, it looked as though their persistence had finally paid off.
Matt O’Riley’s clever pass found Luis Palma, who delivered a teasing low cross across the six-yard box. Iheanacho, timing his run perfectly, tapped the ball into the net from close range.
Celtic Park exploded — players, substitutes, and fans celebrated wildly, believing the equalizer had reignited their European campaign.
But the jubilation was short-lived.
Moments later, the VAR check notification appeared on the stadium screen. As the referee, Luca Banti, consulted the pitch-side monitor, tension gripped the stadium. After a lengthy review, the decision came — NO GOAL.
The referee ruled that Iheanacho had been marginally offside, with his shoulder allegedly ahead of the last defender by the narrowest of margins.
Gasps turned into boos as the replay on the big screen showed what looked like an almost imperceptible difference. Fans chanted angrily, while Rodgers stood on the touchline shaking his head in disbelief.
“That decision changes everything,” Rodgers said post-match. “Iheanacho’s run was timed to perfection — if that’s offside, then football’s lost its soul.”
Social media erupted within minutes. Pundits, journalists, and fans across platforms questioned the precision of the offside lines drawn by VAR. Even neutral commentators labeled the call “harsh” and “borderline to absurd.”
Braga Double Their Advantage
As Celtic struggled to regroup mentally, Braga seized their moment.
In the 68th minute, a corner whipped in by Horta was met by defender Vítor Tormena, whose glancing header nestled into the far corner of the net.
2-0 Braga — and Celtic’s night went from frustrating to devastating.
The home fans, who had been singing relentlessly, fell into a subdued murmur. A few boos rang out, not directed at the players but at the sense of injustice that now clouded the match.
Celtic pushed hard in the final twenty minutes. Substitute Liel Abada tested Matheus with a curling shot, and Kyogo had a header cleared off the line, but it wasn’t to be. Every half-chance seemed to fizzle out, while Braga maintained composure and saw out the match efficiently.
The VAR Debate Erupts
By full-time, the conversation had shifted entirely from the result to the VAR controversy. Football analysts on television and social media dissected the disallowed goal, questioning whether the technology had once again interfered too heavily in the flow of the game.
Former Celtic player Chris Sutton, speaking on BT Sport, didn’t mince words:
“That’s not what VAR was brought in for. When you’re drawing lines on a screen for three minutes to see if someone’s sleeve is offside, it’s no longer football — it’s forensic science.”
Others echoed his sentiments, pointing out that the spirit of the game — and the margin of human perception — seemed to have been lost amid rigid technicalities.
“The rule needs to evolve,” said former referee Mark Clattenburg. “When it’s millimeters, the advantage should go to the attacker. VAR should correct clear errors, not kill moments of brilliance.”
Celtic’s Tactical Struggles and Missed Opportunities
Beyond the controversy, Celtic’s tactical flaws also contributed to their downfall. Despite enjoying 63% possession, they managed only three shots on target.
Their build-up play was crisp, but their final-third execution lacked conviction. Kyogo was often isolated, and while Iheanacho showed flashes of quality, he struggled to find space against Braga’s compact defense.
The midfield pairing of McGregor and O’Riley worked tirelessly, but without quick width or overlapping full-backs, Celtic’s attacks became predictable.
Defensively, the Hoops were punished for lapses in concentration. The first goal came from poor positioning, while the second exposed their vulnerability at set pieces — a recurring problem this season.
“We played some excellent football, but goals change games,” Rodgers admitted. “We need to be sharper in both boxes.”
Braga’s Masterclass in Game Management
If Celtic’s night was one of frustration, Braga’s was a display of European maturity.
Under Artur Jorge’s guidance, the Portuguese side executed their game plan to perfection — sitting deep when necessary, breaking quickly on the counter, and using the ball intelligently.
Ricardo Horta was instrumental, dictating play and exploiting Celtic’s defensive gaps. His assist for the opening goal and delivery for the second underlined his class.
“We knew Celtic would press aggressively,” Horta said post-match. “Our plan was to stay compact, be patient, and take our chances — and we did exactly that.”
Braga’s defense, marshaled by Tormena and Niakaté, held firm under pressure, while goalkeeper Matheus produced several key saves to deny Celtic’s comeback hopes.
The result leaves Braga in pole position in Group F, with six points from two matches, while Celtic remain bottom with just one point.
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