Bayern Munich's rollercoaster journey in the Champions League took another thrilling turn, as they edged out Celtic with a 3-2 aggregate victory in the Round of 16 playoffs. This nail-biting encounter culminated at the Allianz Arena, where Alphonso Davies delivered a stoppage-time strike that turned the tide in Bayern's favor.
The match had all the elements of a classic, starting with a tense 1-1 draw in the second leg. Celtic's Nicolas Kühn added drama to the fixture by leveling the aggregate score midway through the second half at 2-2. With tensions high and extra time looming, it was Alphonso Davies who shattered Celtic's dreams by netting a rebound in the fourth minute of added time. He capitalized on a deflected effort from Leon Goretzka that rebounded perfectly, allowing Davies to seize the moment and secure Bayern's progression.
Celtic's resistance was commendable, largely due to the incredible display between the posts by their goalkeeper, Kasper Schmeichel. His numerous decisive saves kept Bayern at bay, making the Bavarians' task far from easy. Yet, despite Schmeichel's heroic performance, Celtic fell just short of pushing the match into extra time.
With the win, Bayern Munich not only made a strong return to the Champions League knockout stages—an accomplishment absent since the 2023-24 season—but also joined the ranks of other unseeded qualifiers like Benfica, Club Brugge, and Feyenoord. This sets up an intriguing Round of 16 lineup, with the draw scheduled for February 21.
The match at Allianz Arena exemplified the unpredictable nature of football, where a moment of brilliance can redefine the outcome. Bayern's success bolstered their confidence as they aspire to continue their march in one of football's grandest arenas. Meanwhile, Celtic returns home pondering missed opportunities but takes solace in a fiercely fought contest that could have swung in their favor.
