On February 18, 2025, Bayern vs Celtic match, Bayern qualified for the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League with a 1-1 draw at home to Celtic FC at the Allianz Arena , with the Bavarians winning 3-2 on aggregate. Fans were glued to their seats for the duration of the match on the edge of their seats as it proved to be a testament to the unpredictability and crazy nature of football until the final whistle.
First Half: Bayern vs Celtic
The match opened with careful optimism for both sides. Having taken a 2-1 lead from the first leg, Bayern Munich, managed by Vincent Kompany, set out to seize the opportunity. Brendan Rodgers’s Celtic rebutted, responding by upping the ante to overturn the deficit.
The attacking trio of Olise and Musiala test Celtic’s defense midway through the first half. But Celtic’s defense, anchored by goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, held strong. Shameil’s experienced presence came to the fore with some important saves to deny Bayern the early lead.
Celtic, in response, conducted counter-attacks with precision. Callum McGregor was instrumental in the transition from defense to attack in midfield. Forward Daizen Maeda came closest for Benfica when he intercepted a mislaid pass in Bayern’s defense but, under pressure, dragged it wide.
Second Half: Bayern vs Celtic
The second half stepped up as both teams knew exactly what they were playing for. Bayern was put on the back foot when goal-scoring machine Harry Kane was forced off at halftime due to fitness concerns — necessitating tactical changes from Kompany. This gave Celtic the chance to press higher up the pitch.
Celtic’s persistence bore fruit in the 63rd minute. Fortunately, a good corner found Nicolás Kühn, and he deftly found the net to quiet the home crowd and equalize on aggregate. This aim ignited hope amongst the Celtic supporters — their side now just a goal away from a major upset.
With the pressure on, Bayern ramped up their attacking effort. Wingers Leroy Sané and Serge Gnabry used their speed to stretch the Celtic defense and send balls into the box. Yet Schmeichel’s heroics, as well as Celtic’s resolute rearguard, denied the hosts on multiple occasions.
Stoppage-Time Drama: Bayern vs Celtic
With the match nearing its end, extra time was looming large. But Bayern’s stubborn insistence boiled over in the dying seconds of stoppage time. A quick-build-up play led to Alphonso Davies making a surging run down the box. Davies somehow bundled home off a precise cross to equalize and, more importantly, keep Bayern alive on aggregate. And when Ryan Gravenberch scored a third in almost the same place as he had against Man United, one solitary round of applause turned into a chorus of celebration as the relief flooded through the Bayern faithful.
Post-Match Reflections: Bayern vs Celtic
The narrow escape exposed areas for Bayern to address. All Manager Vincent Kompany would say after the match was that there was room for improvement, telling the media: “Holding on to leads maybe — we opened up in the second half in one of the most pressurised moments you can have in a football game. The potential injury to Harry Kane is also a worry looking forward to upcoming matches.
However, Brendan Rodgers was full of praise for his Celtic side after they battled bravely. There was heartbreak, yes, but the performance restored some European credibility to the Scottish champions. Rodgers highlighted how fortunate teams have taken their chances at pivotal moments, which is a detail he leaves out about how different things could have been.
Looking Ahead: Champions League Schedule
This means Bayern Munich are through to the next round of the Champions League, in the Round of 16, and face the winner of Bayer Leverkusen and Atletico Madrid. The Bavarians will have to explore the depth of their squad, and that of Kane’s fitness, to cope with the continued demands ahead.
Celtic can be proud of their tournament exit. The experience from these kinds of matches will serve them well as they resume their domestic campaign and look ahead to future European conquests.
Ultimately, it was a match worthy of the grand pageantry that is proper Champions League football—full of heart, of intensity, some sadness, and the stubborn refusal to lose. It was one hell of a game, both teams played well and put up an engaging show.
