Published On: Wed, Aug 26th, 2026

LASK Completes Shock 5-4 Comeback Over Celtic in Champions League Playoff

LASK produced one of the most remarkable European comebacks in modern football history on Tuesday night, overcoming a 3-0 first-leg deficit—and a 4-0 aggregate hole mid-match—to eliminate Scottish champions Celtic 5-4 on aggregate after extra time at the Raiffeisen Arena.

The Austrian side stormed to an overwhelming 5-1 victory on the night (AET), powered by an extraordinary 41-shot barrage that secured their place in the UEFA Champions League group stage.

LASK players celebrating on the pitch with fans after securing a dramatic Champions League playoff victory over Celtic at Raiffeisen Arena.
LASK players celebrate with home supporters at Raiffeisen Arena after securing their Champions League group stage berth

Second-Leg Match Breakdown

Disaster appeared to strike early for the hosts when Celtic captain Callum McGregor opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, extending the visitors’ aggregate advantage to four goals. However, Moses Usor ignited the home crowd by pulling one back in the 32nd minute, sparking a relentless offensive onslaught.

LASK restarted the second half with intensity. Robert Ljubičić struck in the 48th minute, before forward Samuel Adeniran brought the hosts within striking distance ten minutes later. In the 90th minute, substitute Florian Flecker turned in a close-range effort—confirmed after a VAR review—to level the aggregate score at 4-4 and force extra time.

Adeniran delivered the decisive blow in the 109th minute, slotting home his second goal of the night to complete the turnaround. Although Adeniran had a 114th-minute penalty saved by Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo, LASK held firm through the closing minutes to secure the historic win.

Match MetricLASK 🇦🇹Celtic 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
Second-Leg Score51
Aggregate Score54
Total Shots418
Shots on Target153
Corner Kicks122
Touches in Opp. Box6020

Local Fan Reactions and Atmosphere in Linz

The whistle triggered emotional scenes throughout the Raiffeisen Arena and across Upper Austria:

  • Euphoria in Linz: Thousands of supporters filled the concourses and streets surrounding the stadium long into the night, hailing “The Miracle of Linz” as the club confirmed its entry among Europe’s elite.
  • Relentless Home Support: Fans created a deafening atmosphere, sustaining energy through 120 minutes of intense pressure as LASK registered 60 touches inside Celtic’s penalty area.
  • Historic Milestone: Regional sports commentators lauded the achievement as the greatest European night in LASK’s history, highlighting the team’s tactical resilience under extreme pressure.

For official match stats, group stage draw schedules, and European fixture details, visit the official UEFA Champions League Portal.

About the Author

- Nicole Marco is a driven journalist with a commitment to uncovering the truth. With over eight years of experience, she has made a name for herself in the industry with her investigative reporting and incisive writing. Nicole holds a degree in journalism from the University of Graz and has worked for well-respected Austrian newspapers. Her work has been recognized with several awards and she is dedicated to delivering in-depth and insightful journalism to her readers. Known for her courage and professionalism, Nicole is a valuable asset to the Austrian journalism community.