Bayern Munich beats Celtic 2-1 in first Champions League Play-Off

Bayern Munich earned a hard-fought 2-1 win over Celtic in the first leg of their Champions League play-off, despite an underwhelming display in Glasgow.

Celtic had a bright start and thought they had taken the lead in the opening minute when Nicolas Kuhn fired a powerful shot past Manuel Neuer. However, the goal was disallowed after VAR ruled that Adam Idah was offside and obstructed the goalkeeper’s view.

The game slowed in tempo, but Bayern broke the deadlock just before halftime. In the 45th minute, Dayot Upamecano delivered a pinpoint long pass to Michael Oliseh, who controlled brilliantly, beat his marker, and smashed the ball into the top left corner of Kasper Schmeichel’s net—0:1.

The Bavarians doubled their lead just minutes into the second half. In the 49th minute, Joshua Kimmich delivered a well-placed corner kick, which Harry Kane met with a precise header at the far post, sending the ball into the near left corner—0:2.

Victory in Glasgow! 💪

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💫 #CELFCB #UCL 💫 pic.twitter.com/xyGpCZUpz7

— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) February 12, 2025

Celtic had a chance to get back into the match when VAR reviewed a potential penalty for a foul by Upamecano on Arne Engels. However, after reviewing the footage, referee Jesús Gil Manzano determined that the Bayern defender had played the ball first and overturned the decision.

The Scottish side eventually pulled one back in the 79th minute. After a corner kick caused a scramble in Bayern’s penalty area, Hyunjun Yang redirected the ball to Daisen Maeda, who was left unmarked by Upamecano and calmly slotted it past Neuer—1:2. The goal was briefly checked for offside but stood.