The Champions League play-offs witnessed a major upset, as Celtic were eliminated by Kazakh champions Kairat.
The first leg in Scotland ended in a goalless draw, and the result was repeated in the second leg, forcing the two teams to go to penalties, which Kairat won 3-2.
Kairat is a Kazakh club founded in 1954. It suffered bankruptcy and was relegated in 2009, but then returned to win the domestic league title for the first time in 60 years in 2020. They then repeated the title in 2024, qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in their history.
Kairat traveled a long way to reach the final play-off, defeating Olimpija Ljubljana in the first round, then beating Copoin Palosweira in the second round. They began their surprise run by eliminating Slovan Bratislava in the third round, setting up a clash with Celtic in the biggest play-off upset of the season.
Kairat has now qualified for the league stage, where they will play eight matches against elite European clubs, a first in the history of Kazakh football.
Celtic, the Scottish Premier League champions and one of the most storied teams in the history of the Champions League, have now been eliminated in a major upset that could shake up the club, potentially affecting coach Brendan Rodgers.
