Overview
- After two 0-0 legs and extra time, Kairat won the shootout 3-2 at Central Stadium to eliminate Celtic.
- Kairat’s 21-year-old backup goalkeeper Temirlan Anarbekov saved efforts from Adam Idah, Luke McCowan and Daizen Maeda.
- Maeda also missed a clear one-on-one chance in the 86th minute as Celtic failed to score across 210 minutes.
- Brendan Rodgers called the exit a “huge blow” and “very frustrating,” with media estimates putting the financial cost near £20m as Celtic drop to the Europa League.
- Kairat become only the second Kazakh club to reach the competition proper, with the Champions League league‑phase draw on Aug 28; Bodo/Glimt and Pafos also qualified.