Champions League: Kazakhs and Cypriots rejoice and make history, Celtic and Red Star eliminated

Surprise results in the return matches of the Champions League 2025-2026 playoffs played Tuesday night. Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty and Pafos Cypriots advance to the championship stage of the continent’s top competition at the expense of two past giants, Celtic Glasgow and Red Star.

Kairat Almaty after the 0-0 imposed on Celtic in the 0-0 first leg in Glasgow managed to win on penalty kicks after regulation time ended with the same result. From the penalty spot mistakes by Idah, McCowan and Maeda doomed the Scots and handed the Kazakh team the historic Champions League pass. The evening’s hero was 21-year-old goalkeeper Temirlan Anarbekov.

Big celebration also for the Pafos Cypriots, who after a crazy 2-1 victory in the first leg match in Belgrade managed to snatch a late equalizer in the return match against Red Star, securing historic Champions League qualification. Ivanic’s goal at 60′ was answered by Jaja at 90′.

In the last match of the evening, the Bodo/Glimt Norwegians lost 2-1 at home to Sturm Graz but qualified by virtue of their wide 5-0 victory in the first leg match. Jorgensen scored the visitors’ lead goal, later reversed by Jatta and Oermann.