MUNICH: Bayern Munich secured their place in the Champions League last-16 with a dramatic 1-1 draw against Celtic on Tuesday, progressing 3-2 on aggregate. The German giants were pushed to the brink as Celtic, trailing from the first leg, took a shock 63rd-minute lead through former Bayern reserve Nicolas Kuehn. Celtic were hoping to overturn a 2-1 deficit and achieve their first-ever win in Germany, and they came agonizingly close to forcing extra time with a valiant display.
However, Bayern were spared late heartbreak when Alphonso Davies snatched an equalizer in stoppage time, ensuring his side’s progression to the next round. The Canadian full-back’s timely goal allowed Bayern to escape a fierce challenge and avoid what could have been an early exit.
Bayern midfielder Leon Goretzka acknowledged the difficulties, noting, “If you watched the first leg, I don’t think it was surprising. Of course, we could have made it easier for ourselves by not conceding a goal.” With their 1-1 draw on Tuesday, Bayern now await their next opponents, which will either be Bayer Leverkusen or Atletico Madrid, based on Friday’s draw.
