Goals from Robert Ljubicic, American forward Adeniran and an injury time Florian Flecker effort from close range sent the tie into extra-time. Samuel Adeniran’s strike 11 minutes from the end of extra-time completed a stunning comeback for Austria’s LASK as they reached the Champions League group stage at Celtic’s expenses. Trailing 3-0 from the first leg, LASK found themselves 4-0 down on aggregate midway through the first half after Callum McGregor struck for the Scottish visitors.
But Nigerian midfielder Moses Usor gave LASK hope just before the break and Celtic started to capitulate.
Adeniran put LASK ahead in the second period of extra-time and could have completed his hat-trick but saw his penalty saved by Finland goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo. Having finished second from bottom in the the Europa Conference League league stage last season, LASK will now play in the Champions League group stage for the first time.
Gabon forward Orphe Mbina scored the clinching goal as Azerbaijan’s Sabah came from behind against Hapoel Beer-Shiva to book a first ever participation in the Champions League group stage. Hapoel had Senegal defender Djibril Diop and Israel midfielder Eliel Peretz sent off in extra-time. But Tellur Mutallimov’s injury time strike sent the tie to extra-time and goals from Mbina and Rwandan international Joy-Lance Mickels gave Sabah a 5-2 win on the night and 6-4 aggregate success.
