In a dramatic UEFA Champions League 2025-26 playoff qualifier, Kairat Almaty etched their name in Kazakh football history by defeating former European champions Celtic 3-2 in a penalty shootout after a goalless two-leg tie. The decisive match, played at Ortalyk Stadium in Almaty on August 27, 2025, saw 21-year-old goalkeeper Temirlan Anarbekov emerge as the hero, saving three penalties to secure Kairat’s first-ever group stage berth.
The second leg mirrored the first in Glasgow, with both teams struggling to create clear chances in a cagey affair. Despite Celtic’s 67% possession and 11 shots (five on target) compared to Kairat’s 12 (two on target), the match ended 0-0 after 120 minutes. Key moments included Celtic’s Daizen Maeda missing a golden opportunity in the 86th minute and Anarbekov’s crucial save from Luke McCowan in extra time. Kairat’s defense, led by Ofri Arad, held firm, with an early scare when Kasper Schmeichel saved a shot from Ricardinho, later ruled offside.
The penalty shootout proved decisive. Celtic’s Adam Idah, McCowan, and Maeda failed to convert, with Anarbekov denying all three. Despite Kairat’s Valeri Gromyko missing a panenka, the Kazakh side capitalized on Celtic’s errors, clinching a 3-2 shootout victory. This triumph marks Kairat as the second Kazakh club, after Astana in 2015, to reach the Champions League group stage.
Celtic’s defeat, described by manager Brendan Rodgers as “bitterly disappointing,” relegates them to the Europa League. Rodgers lamented his team’s lack of quality in the shootout and missed chances, while former player Aiden McGeady called the loss a “stark reminder” of Celtic’s current standing. Kairat’s 17-year-old star Dastan Satpaev, set to join Chelsea in 2026, missed the second leg due to suspension but contributed three goals in earlier qualifying rounds.
The match, characterized by low expected goals (Celtic’s 1.17 vs. Kairat’s 0.58), highlighted Kairat’s defensive resilience. Alongside Kairat, Norway’s Bodo/Glimt and Cyprus’s Pafos also secured their maiden Champions League appearances, adding fresh faces to the 2025-26 group stage draw.
Kairat’s victory sparked celebrations across Kazakhstan, marking a milestone for the nation’s football. As they prepare for the group stage, Anarbekov’s heroics and Kairat’s grit will be remembered as the foundation of their historic achievement.
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