Celtic came from behind to beat Besiktas 3-2 at Celtic Park on November 5, 2026, in a UEFA Europa League-phase match, with substitute Camilo Duran scoring twice in the final 12 minutes to deliver the Scottish club’s first European win of the season.
Duran’s late double decides it at Celtic Park
James Forrest, Benjamin Nygren, Sebastian Tounekti and Kasper Høgh were among those named in the starting eleven, but the opening period proved frustrating for the 50,000 Celtic supporters who had travelled for the match. Besiktas took the lead in the 54th minute when Junior Olaitan converted the rebound after Sam Johnstone saved his penalty, the spot-kick awarded after Jordan Lotomba lunged in on Ernest Poku. With an hour gone at Celtic Park on Thursday, hope in the stands was in short supply, and the home side were staring at a fourth straight defeat in this season’s Europa League that would have marked a fifth consecutive European defeat for the first time in the club’s history.
Osmand fired in the equaliser with his first touch just 43 seconds after the 20-year-old attacker came on, nestling the ball into the bottom corner of Alexander Nubel’s goal in the 65th minute. All of a sudden, Celtic had a threat in behind and Besiktas looked rattled. Twelve minutes later, O’Neill moved Duran through the middle after withdrawing Kasper Hogh, and Osmand played his new team-mate through with a pass that Duran finished by rounding Nubel to put Celtic 2-1 up in the 79th minute.
The hosts held on for the final whistle.
The substitutes who changed the game
The turnaround was put down to the changes. Sky Sports’ match Gordon Duncan wrote that quality, desire and running power — all things the team had been accused of lacking — were on show in the second half. Earlier in the match, Cameron Carter-Vickers had recovered to stop Leandro Trossard from getting a shot away in the 26th minute, while Liam Scales saw his deflected header pushed over the bar by Nubel at the 67-minute mark.
GOOOLLLLLLL from Camilo Durán! He scored for Celtic in the Europa League against Besiktas to give them the 2-1 home lead after being 1-0 down earlier in the game! What a season he is having! 🇨🇴🔥 https://t.co/RIaGdIwtXO
You have to wonder where that second-half performance has been for the last two months.
Gordon Duncan, Sky Sports
It’s hard to overstate just how difference-making the substitutes were.
Gordon Duncan, Sky Sports
The BBC noted that Hogh, the club record signing, was withdrawn at the 77-minute mark after another underwhelming display, with Duran then moved into a central role that produced his two goals. At full-time, O’Neill and assistant Shaun Maloney were seen celebrating, and with the 79th-minute goal the stadium — Paradise — was rocking as players found their energy and supporters found their voice.
Where it leaves Celtic in the Europa League
The win lifts Celtic off the foot of the standings picture: the club remain in the bottom 12 of the Europa League table but, with four games left, still have a chance of reaching the knockout stages, according to Sky Sports. The match was designated League Phase MD4 of the 2026/27 competition, and Duran was named Man of the Match after a class act.
O’Neill said the result gave his side a platform to build on. Speaking after the match, the Celtic manager said:
We’ve given ourselves a chance because of the result.
Martin O’Neill, Celtic manager
A terrific win, in every aspect. I thought we played some really lovely stuff as well too, and they are a very fine side.
Martin O’Neill, Celtic manager
You have to find the net, and we did that, Callum comes on, first touch, puts the ball in the net, that’s really difficult.
Martin O’Neill, Celtic manager
Speaking after the match, the Celtic manager said that Duran had been fabulous for the club the whole season, regardless of where he plays.
GOAL CELTIC! Celtic 2 Besiktas 1 (Duran, 78') Camilo Duran fires Celtic ahead for the first time in the game as the Hoops close in on their first Europa League win of the season https://t.co/AqdG0vLSZU
The night renewed belief and gave the supporters a night to remember, with Duran taking the headlines and Osmand earning credit for a goal and an assist off the bench. Two goals for Duran and a goal and an assist for Osmand prompted the question of whether they were inspired changes or simply the wrong team to begin with.
⚽️ FT: Celtic 3-2 Besiktas Camilo Duran scores twice from the substitutes bench to win Celtic's first match of the Europa League and keep their hopes of progression alive!
Camilo Duran double helps Celtic secure first victory in Europa League https://t.co/1WTntiKCsz
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