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45m ago

Qairat Almaty Stuns Celtic on Penalties to Reach Champions League Group Stage

The Kazakh champions secure a major UEFA payout, becoming only the nation’s second club to reach this phase.

Qairat Almaty zieht in die Königsklasse ein
Fans von Qairat Almaty
Jubel in Kasachstan
Benjamin Nygren von Celtic schlägt sich die Hände an den Kopf

Overview

  • After 0-0 across both legs and extra time in Almaty, Qairat won the shootout 3-2 as goalkeeper Temirlan Anarbekov saved three penalties.
  • The triumph delivers Qairat its first-ever place in the Champions League group stage, following FC Astana’s 2015/16 appearance as Kazakhstan’s only previous entrant.
  • Celtic drops into the Europa League after three straight seasons in the Champions League groups, with manager Brendan Rodgers calling the result a bitter disappointment and noting sympathy for traveling fans.
  • UEFA participation brings Qairat a reported €18.62 million start payment plus €2.1 million per win and €700,000 per draw, with additional payments from another UEFA pot assured.
  • The Champions League group-stage draw is scheduled for Thursday, with the Europa League draw to follow on Friday.