Trailing 2-1 after the first leg at Parkhead, Celtic stunned the Bundesliga giants when Nicolas Kuhn capitalized on a mistake by Kim Min-jae to fire the visitors ahead just after the hour mark. This came after a first half in which Celtic created several chances but failed to convert. Kuhn, Callum McGregor, and Daizen Maeda all went close, while England captain Harry Kane rattled the crossbar before being substituted at halftime.
Determined to turn the tie around, Celtic broke through when Maeda surged forward and set up Kuhn, who took advantage of Kim's hesitation to slip the ball past Manuel Neuer. The goal ignited hopes of a remarkable upset, but Bayern, stunned into action, ramped up their attacks in search of an equalizer.
Despite relentless pressure, Celtic held firm, with Kasper Schmeichel producing a string of impressive saves and the defense blocking and clearing every threat that came their way. McGregor missed a crucial chance, Kuhn had a shot cleared off the line, and Maeda came inches away from converting a dangerous cross. The Scottish champions displayed resilience and discipline, keeping Bayern at bay until the dying seconds.
As extra time loomed, Bayern delivered a crushing blow. Michael Olise's cross found Leon Goretzka, whose powerful header was superbly saved by Schmeichel. However, the rebound fell into the six-yard box, where Alphonso Davies scrambled the ball over the line, sealing Bayern's passage to the next round.
The final whistle left Celtic players dejected on the pitch, having given everything over the two legs. Their performance showed immense growth and maturity compared to their struggles in Europe earlier this season. Though they return to Glasgow without a victory, they leave with their heads held high, proving they can compete at the highest level.
For Bayern, the result was a relief rather than a triumph. They struggled against Celtic's high-intensity play and were forced into errors not seen in their Champions League campaign so far. Vincent Kompany now has clear areas to address if Bayern are to go all the way in the tournament.
Celtic may have fallen short, but their spirited display suggests they are evolving into a team capable of making a mark on the European stage.
