UEFA Champions League Play-offs
Celtic 3 - 0 FT Lask Linz
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Futmetrix Verdict
44
FT
Thu, Sep 17
Beşiktaş
4-1
Marseille
⚡ Intensity
60
⚖️ Balance
68
🏆 Stakes
0
🎲 Upset
0
Beşiktaş turn parity into a rout
Futmetrix Verdict
51
FT
Thu, Sep 17
Real Betis
1-0
Getafe
⚡ Intensity
51
⚖️ Balance
25
🏆 Stakes
33
🎲 Upset
0
Ezzalzouli breakthrough sinks ten-man Getafe.
Futmetrix Verdict
84
Brentford
vs
Chelsea
Fri, Sep 18 • 19:00 UTC
⚡ Form
81
⚖️ Balance
100
🏆 Stakes
56
⭐ Stars
91
London derby with top-four implications.
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
26' B. Nygren
38' C. Duran
HT
↓ K. Danek ↑A. Schopf 65'
65' ↓ M. Baur ↑R. Hatate
67' C. Duran (B. Nygren)
↓ M. Usor ↑C. Lang 73'
76' ↓ Yang Hyun-Jun ↑S. Tounekti
76' ↓ K. Tierney ↑L. Scales
83' ↓ C. Donovan ↑A. Ralston
83' ↓ C. Duran ↑H. Hassan
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Celtic
Goalkeepers
Viljami Sinisalo 
OCTOPUS
8
Saves
8
Saves
0
Conceded
100%
Save %
Defenders
Colby Donovan 
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
67%
Pass Acc
Cameron Carter-Vickers 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Auston Trusty
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kieran Tierney
LATE SHIFT
14
Late Mins
14
Late Mins
76
Total Mins
76
Entry
Midfielders
Benjamin Nygren 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Callum McGregor 
MAGNET
95
Activity
95
Activity
90
Passes
5
Duels
Mika Baur
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
65
Total Mins
65
Entry
Forwards
Camilo Durán 
HITMAN
2
Goals
2
Goals
4
On Target
9
Rating
Kasper Høgh
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Yang Hyun-Jun
LATE SHIFT
14
Late Mins
14
Late Mins
76
Total Mins
76
Entry
BENCH
Ross Doohan 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Liam Scales
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
14
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Anthony Ralston
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Dane Murray
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Reo Hatate
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
25
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Luke McCowan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
James Forrest
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Sebastian Tounekti
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
14
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Haissem Hassan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Michel-Ange Balikwisha
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Callum Osmand
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Johnny Kenny
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Lask Linz
Goalkeepers
Lukas Jungwirth
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Xavier Muken
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alemão
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Andrés Andrade
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
40%
Pass Acc
Midfielders
Kasper Jørgensen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Krystof Danek
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
65
Total Mins
65
Entry
Robert Ljubicic
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Sascha Horvath
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
George Bello
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Forwards
Moses Usor
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
73
Total Mins
73
Entry
Samuel Adeniran
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
Fabian Schillinger
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Tobias Schützenauer
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Miguel Freckleton
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Manoël Verhaeghe
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Junior Dibango
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Melayro Bogarde
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alessandro Schöpf
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
25
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Art Smakaj
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Christoph Lang
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
17
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Florian Flecker
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Celtic
Lask Linz
Celtic
Lask Linz
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Celtic Park Erupts as Hosts Seize Play-Off Control
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 29/100. A flattering 3-0 scoreline masked an incredibly open contest, leaving LASK with a mountain to climb in the reverse fixture.
Opening Act
Celtic Park erupted as the hosts immediately took charge of this crucial Champions League qualifier. The Stakes were massive, with group stage football on the line, and Celtic embraced the pressure from the first minute. They dominated possession, holding 64% of the ball, but LASK Linz refused to simply sit back and absorb. The Austrian side countered with serious menace, managing an astonishing 20 shots of their own despite seeing so little of the ball. The Intensity was palpable as both sides traded blows in a wildly open first half. Celtic's midfield orchestrator, Callum McGregor, worked tirelessly to dictate the tempo and maintain structure amid the chaos, while LASK sought to exploit any gaps left by the advancing fullbacks.
The Pivot
The sheer volume of chances turned the match into a true shooting gallery. With a combined 37 shots—15 of which tested the keepers—this was anything but a tight, tactical stalemate. LASK’s Robert Žulj tried to orchestrate openings for the visitors, and they surprisingly generated 13 shots from inside the box. However, it was the man between the sticks for Celtic who truly dictated the narrative. The home side's goalkeeper pulled off eight vital saves, shutting down LASK time and again when an away goal looked certain. This massive Upset Factor potential was repeatedly snuffed out. The relentless set-piece pressure, featuring 10 total corners, kept the penalty areas incredibly crowded, but the hosts maintained their defensive discipline exactly when it mattered most to preserve their clean sheet.
Resolution
Ultimately, Celtic's incredibly clinical finishing in front of their raucous home support proved to be the major difference, securing a vital 3-0 victory that completely shifts the Balance of this two-legged tie. LASK Linz will be left wondering how they failed to register a single goal despite racking up eight shots on target and matching the hosts' attacking intent. This first-leg result puts the Scottish champions firmly in the driving seat for qualification. However, the job is only half done. The tie now heads to Austria for the return leg on August 25th, where LASK must throw caution to the wind. If they can replicate their attacking volume and find their shooting boots, the second leg could still offer some late summer drama.
Key Questions
When is the second leg of this tie?
LASK Linz will host Celtic in the return leg on August 25, 2026.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
The Road to the Main Stage Starts in Glasgow
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 52/100. Celtic aim to build an unassailable first-leg cushion to put this playoff tie to bed early.
The Setup
At Celtic Park, the Celtic faithful expect nothing less than a commanding victory. While the Stakes rating feels relatively modest for a first-leg qualifier, securing a spot in the Champions League proper is the ultimate prize. A low Stars metric indicates a lack of global marquee names, and a shaky Form rating across the board explains why this might not be a purely aesthetic spectacle. Despite a respectable Balance score on paper, the first-leg dynamic heavily favors the hosts, who know they must maximize their advantage before the tricky return trip on August 25.
Key Battle
The home side's attacking unit, spearheaded by the relentless energy of D. Maeda, will look to stretch a disciplined but outgunned Lask Linz backline. If A. Engels can completely dictate the tempo in midfield and C. Carter-Vickers cleanly sweeps up the rare counter-attacks, the visitors will struggle to find any foothold in the match.
Our Prediction
Celtic to win 2-0. The hosts will dominate possession, capitalize on sustained early pressure, and keep a vital clean sheet to take absolute control of the two-legged tie.