Celtic 2 - 1 Astana

04.08.2016 14:31

There was no early evidence that this was going to become so tumultuous. Celtic swarmed all over Astana from the start, hustling and harrying the visitors and denying them the space and opportunities they enjoyed in the first leg last week.

There really was only one team in it, Celtic dominating possession and territory. They lost Patrick Roberts to injury after just half an hour, but their control continued, albeit without many chances being created.

There was late drama in the first half, though. Kieran Tierney was taken down in the box by Abzal Beysebekov and Griffiths swept in his penalty.

Having given Celtic the equaliser in Astana, Griffiths had now put his team 2-1 ahead on aggregate - and early in the second half he could have put the tie almost beyond doubt.

From a Stefan Johansen pass, Griffiths could only find the Astana side-netting. Soon after, a raking ball from Scott Brown put Griffiths through again. As he was about to shoot, he was snuffed out by a terrific tackle by Shitov.

Moussa Dembele scored a dramatic stoppage-time penalty as Celtic moved one round away from the Champions League group stage.

A first-half Leigh Griffiths penalty had put Celtic 1-0 ahead on the night, and 2-1 on aggregate, against Astana.

But their evening was thrown into chaos when Agim Ibraimi scored from 40 yards.

Extra time - and possibly penalties - seemed to beckon until Dembele won the penalty that he then converted for his first goal for the club.

That sent a raucous stadium into absolute raptures, while Astana of Kazakhstan were left stunned.

They finished with just nine men on the pitch, Igor Shitov sent-off for his costly foul on Dembele and Dmitri Shomko also walking for a crazed protest at the awarding of the penalty.

Celtic now go into Friday's draw for the final play-off round - leaving them just two games away from the Champions League group stage. Even if they lose that tie, they are guaranteed a place in the group stage of the Europa League.

(BBC)

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