Camilo Durán delivered a standout performance for Celtic on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, scoring two goals in a 3-0 victory over Austrian side LASK in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League play-offs at Celtic Park. The 24-year-old Colombian forward powered the Scottish club toward the tournament’s league phase with a pair of long-range and precise strikes, continuing a prolific start to his career in Glasgow.
How Celtic Defeated LASK in the Champions League Play-Off
Benjamin Nygren opened the scoring for the hosts in the 27th minute before Durán took over the match. In the 38th minute, after the Austrian defense cleared a ball into the vicinity of the medialuna, Durán met it with a first-time, left-footed volley that flew past the goalkeeper. Later in the second half, during the 67th minute, Durán connected with his teammates on an associative play inside the box and slotted a precise shot toward the far post to secure his brace and round out the 3-0 scoreline, according to reports from El Heraldo and Semana.
A Fast Start and Rising Goal Tally in Glasgow
The performance underscored a rapid adaptation for the Santa Marta native since joining Celtic following a stint with Qarabag in Azerbaijan. Across his first seven official and friendly appearances for the Scottish side, Durán has registered six goals and two assists. Prior to the domestic and European fixtures, he found the net during pre-season friendlies against Sporting CP, Middlesbrough, and AC Milan, while also contributing a goal against Dundee United in the Scottish League Cup and an assist in league play.
Upcoming Leg and Broader Implications
The 3-0 aggregate advantage gives Celtic a comfortable cushion heading into the second leg of the play-off tie, scheduled for August 25, 2026, in Austria. The winner of the two-legged series will secure a spot in the lucrative league phase of the UEFA Champions League. Meanwhile, consistent outings in European competition have sparked discussions in Colombian sports media regarding potential consideration from national team manager Nester Lorenzo ahead of future international cycles.
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