Celtic missed out on a UEFA Champions League bonus payout after suffering a 5-1 extra-time defeat to LASK in Austria.
The Glasgow side arrived at the second leg carrying a 3-0 advantage from the opening fixture. Yet that cushion evaporated during a second half in Austria, where goals from Ljubicic, Adeniran and Flecker erased the aggregate deficit. Adeniran struck again in extra time to seal the 5-1 scoreline, capping an Austrian comeback that left the Scottish visitors eliminated.
Financial Impact on Celtic, Oviedo, and Villarreal
According to transfer documents tied to Haissem Hassan’s summer move to Glasgow, Celtic missed a payment clause. The agreement stipulated that the Scottish club would pay 300.000 euros upon qualifying for the Champions League. That sum carried a predetermined distribution structure: 180.000 euros directed to Oviedo and 120.000 euros to Villarreal.
With LASK advancing 5-1 on the night and winning the tie on aggregate, that bonus evaporated. Hassan, who joined Celtic during the summer, did not participate in the fixture in Linz, watching from the sidelines as his new club exited the competition.
How the Collapse Unfolded in Linz
The fixture began favorably for the visitors. McGregor opened the scoring in the first half. However, Usor equalized before the interval to make it 1-1 on the night, a scoreline that failed to hint at the second-half collapse.
After the break, LASK unleashed an attacking wave. Ljubicic, Adeniran, and Flecker found the net to force the match into extra time. In the additional thirty minutes, Adeniran secured his brace with LASK’s fifth goal. The Austrian hosts even missed a penalty kick in the closing minutes of extra time, though the missed spot-kick had no bearing on the final outcome.
La Liga Action: Valencia Edged by Betis
While European qualification drama unfolded in Austria, domestic action resumed in Spain with a rearranged fixture from the opening matchday. Real Betis traveled away to face Valencia.
Pellegrini’s Betis side secured victory late in the match. Pablo García delivered the decisive moment, scoring in the closing stages to break the deadlock and hand Valencia a defeat at home.
What Comes Next
Celtic must quickly regroup domestically following their European exit. LASK advances to the group stage of the UEFA Champions League. In Spain, Valencia and Real Betis return to their standard weekend La Liga schedules as the domestic campaign accelerates.
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