Celtic finally secured their maiden UEFA Europa League group stage win, staging a thrilling comeback to defeat Sturm Graz 2-1 at Celtic Park. The reigning Scottish champions overcame an early setback to halt the Austrian side’s four-game winning streak in all competitions.
Early Setback for Celtic
The Hoops faced an immediate challenge when striker Kelechi Iheanacho was forced off due to injury just four minutes into the match. His early exit provided an unexpected chance for substitute Johnny Kenny, who made a lively impact but narrowly missed with a shot from inside the box.
Sturm Graz Strike First
Celtic’s problems deepened moments later as Tomi Horvat scored from distance, rifling a superb left-footed effort into the top corner, marking his second consecutive European goal. The Austrian side nearly doubled their advantage when Otar Kiteishvili struck the post just past the half-hour mark.
Celtic Responds
Celtic began to mount pressure, with Arne Engels forcing a crucial goalline clearance from Emanuel Aiwu. Sturm Graz threatened again after halftime, but Horvat’s free-kick was saved and Jon Gorenc Stanković’s header went wide, leaving the visitors frustrated.
Dramatic Turnaround
The Hoops turned the game on its head in a three-minute blitz after the 60th minute. A clever short corner routine allowed defender Liam Scales to slot a precise left-foot shot into the bottom corner. Minutes later, Benjamin Nygren powered home a header from Engels’ delivery, sending the Celtic Park crowd into raptures.
Sealing the Victory
Sturm Graz’s hopes of salvaging a draw suffered a blow when Tochi Chukwuani was shown a red card for a reckless studs-up challenge on Callum McGregor. Celtic held firm in the closing stages, securing three vital points to move up to 21st place in the standings, while Jürgen Säumel’s side remain 26th with a single point deficit.
