The breakthrough arrived on 26 minutes when Kieran Tierney swung in a cross and Benjamin Nygren met it with a sharp left-foot finish. That early lead suited Celtic’s plan, which leaned on patient passing and quick switches into the final third. Goal two followed on 38 minutes, with Camilo Durán drilling a left-footed effort high into the net. LASK tried to respond through direct play, but Celtic’s back line handled most of the first-half traffic. The interval came with the score at 2-0 and the home crowd comfortable. After the restart, the visitors committed more numbers forward and created more shooting volume. Celtic weathered an energetic spell, then struck again. In the 67th minute, Nygren slipped a neat assist into Durán, who finished for 3-0. From there, Celtic managed territory and tempo to close out the night.

Discipline did not define the match, which saw only one yellow card, shown to Kasper Jørgensen. The assistant’s flag was busier than the referee’s notebook, with LASK caught offside five times. Substitutions arrived late for Celtic to freshen wide areas and full back. The final whistle confirmed a clean sheet, three goals, and a balanced platform for the tie. For supporters tracking every involvement, Sofascore’s timeline on the match page maps each key action clearly.

What the team stats say

Celtic owned 64% possession and completed 659 passes to LASK’s 358, which set the story of control. Accurate passes favored the hosts 583 to 291, and final third entries were 66 to 45. Corners leaned Celtic 7-3, reflecting steady territorial pressure. Despite that control, the shot count actually leaned LASK, 20 to 17. On target it was close, LASK 8 and Celtic 7, which puts the spotlight on finishing and goalkeeping. Expected goals were listed as 0.00 for both sides in this feed, so chance quality is better read through big chances and on-target totals. Big chances showed LASK 2 to Celtic’s 1, but the visitors could not convert. A defensive error recorded against the away side also fed into the scoreboard. Average team Sofascore Ratings told a clear tale, Celtic 8.15 to LASK 6.50.

The shooting profile split by location was interesting as well. LASK attempted more efforts inside the box, 13 to 8, yet Celtic matched the goals column with superior efficiency. From range, Celtic led 9 to 7, which helped keep the away goalkeeper engaged. Celtic also hit the woodwork once, a small sign of how close the margin can be between a good night and a rout. Goalkeeper saves read 8 for Celtic and 4 for LASK, a nod to pressure faced and handled by the home keeper. Throw-ins and goal kicks were broadly even and did not shift momentum much. Cross accuracy was low for both, Celtic at 3 of 19 and LASK 4 of 21. Long-ball accuracy slightly favored Celtic at 51% to 46%, aligning with the overall passing control.

Pressing, duels and where LASK fell short

LASK won more tackles and at a better rate, with 16 total and 56% won compared to Celtic’s 13 and 38%. Interceptions were also close, LASK 8 to Celtic 7, which shows the away press did bite at times. In aerial duels, LASK held a clear advantage at 57%. Ground duels, though, went Celtic’s way at 53%, reflecting the home side’s comfort when the ball stayed on the deck. Recoveries were almost even, Celtic 54 to LASK 52, which supports the view of a competitive middle third. Clearances skewed Celtic 24 to 20, a by-product of absorbing phases and resetting shape. Where LASK hurt themselves was timing and detail in the final action. The visitors were flagged offside five times, breaking up promising moves and handing the initiative back. Add two big chances missed, and the probability of a comeback faded.

Discipline also stayed largely in check, with only one caution in total. Celtic committed fewer fouls, six to nine, which helped the hosts avoid cheap territory losses. Crossing volume could not translate into precision for either side, but LASK’s late push did lift their tally. The story of the night, though, paired Celtic’s control between the boxes with clinical finishing. When the home side reached good zones, the final pass and shot carried more weight. When LASK arrived, the last touch lacked execution or met a ready goalkeeper. Those margins, visible in the duel and defensive splits, shaped a clean 3-0.

MVP watch: Camilo Durán’s match-winning display

Camilo Durán was named Player of the Match with a Sofascore Rating of 9. He scored twice, including a composed strike before half-time and a decisive finish on 67 minutes. His activity level was high, with 6 total shots and 4 on target. Durán completed 28 of 33 passes, supporting possession play rather than drifting out of the match after scoring. He carried the ball 19 times, logging 108 meters of progressive carrying distance, which helped tilt transitions in Celtic’s favor. He also made 51 touches and was caught offside once, a sign of living on the defensive line. The profile was not flawless, with one big chance missed, but efficiency won the night. Crucially, both his goals were left-foot finishes in tight, pressured spaces. When Celtic needed a cutting edge, Durán repeatedly found it.

The timing of his second goal mattered. LASK had upped the tempo early in the second half, and Durán’s strike settled nerves and the scoreboard. That cushion allowed Celtic to manage risks and rotations. It also rewarded the steady supply from the flanks and half-spaces. With a performance that blended movement, finishing, and tidy link play, a 9 on the Sofascore Rating scale felt fully earned. On another evening, with different small margins, he might even chase the perfect 10. The lesson remains that shot quality and timing beat volume when paired with structure. In a Playoff Round, that reliability is gold.

Other standouts and what this means for the Playoff

Benjamin Nygren backed up the MVP with a strong all-round game and a Sofascore Rating of 8.6. He scored the opener, assisted the third, took 2 shots, and created 3 key passes. His passing was sharp, 53 of 58, and his movement kept Celtic connected between midfield and attack. In goal, Viljami Sinisalo also posted an 8.6 after making 8 saves, 4 from inside the box. He was excellent with the ball too, completing 44 of 47 passes to help Celtic reset pressure. In defense, Auston Trusty’s 7.6 featured 6 clearances and 2 blocks, while Cameron Carter-Vickers added 5 clearances and 5 aerial wins. Colby Donovan contributed 7 clearances and 3 key passes from full back, a productive two-way line. Tierney’s early assist came from one of his eight crosses, enough to tip the balance in a phase that needed quality delivery.

For LASK, Samuel Adeniran worked hard for a 7.0, putting up 6 shots, 3 on target, and winning 5 aerial duels. Andrés Andrade’s 6.8 reflected mixed duties with 3 key passes and 2 shots from a defensive role. Kasper Jørgensen led crossing volume on the right and drew the lone booking of the game. The visitors did not lack enterprise, outshooting Celtic 20-17 and creating two big chances. The issue was execution in the key moments and the five offside calls that stalled momentum. As the Playoff Round continues, Celtic carry a clean sheet, strong average team ratings, and a performance template that travels well. LASK have attacking volume to build on, but must cut errors and tidy the final pass. All the numbers and live updates for the tie are best tracked on Sofascore’s match page and the UEFA Champions League tournament hub.