Incredible Comeback: LASK Reaches Champions League Group Stage

LASK Linz is in the Champions League group stage!

After a 3-0 defeat against Celtic Glasgow in the first leg, LASK spectacularly won the return leg in their home stadium 5-1 after extra time.

In the fifth minute, the visitors from Scotland became dangerous for the first time: Yang got to the ball on the flank and set up Baur with a strong pass. His shot narrowly missed the goal.

Subsequently, LASK increasingly took control. Adeniran, in particular, repeatedly drove the ball forward and initiated dangerous penalty area actions for the Linz team.

Post Saves Celtic

Initially, a shot from Ljubicic was crucially deflected just before the goal, and shortly after, Mbuyamba narrowly missed a cross (18'). Andrade came closest to giving them the lead, with his deflected shot hitting the post (20').

However, against the run of play, Celtic took the lead shortly after. The prominent Yang laid the ball back to McGregor. His shot was crucially deflected by Andrade, giving Jungwirth no chance to save (22').

LASK remained unfazed and continued to push forward. Adeniran had the next good opportunity from close range but put the ball just wide of the goal (29').

Misplaced Pass Puts LASK Back on Track

Shortly after, Usor gratefully accepted a gift in the visitors' build-up play: a botched back-pass from Nygren landed directly at his feet, and the Nigerian remained calm, slotting it in for 1-1 (32').

Subsequently, the Kühbauer XI pushed for the next goal, but clear scoring opportunities remained scarce until half-time.

After the break, LASK took the lead with their very first action. Usor powerfully broke through on the flank and set up Robert Ljubicic, who fired a shot from about 20 meters, putting the Linz team 2-1 ahead.

The Upper Austrians remained the dominant team thereafter and rewarded themselves with the 3-1. Adeniran perfectly struck the ball with the inside of his foot after a Horvath pass, sinking it into the goal from a good 22 meters.

A Goal to Force Extra Time

Horvath made a first attempt at the fourth goal in the 63rd minute, but his shot missed the target.

Shortly after, LASK created a series of chances. It was Horvath again who forced goalkeeper Sinisalo into a brilliant save with a powerful shot from inside the box (68'). From the ensuing corner, Törnich headed just wide of the goal.

A little later, a cross from Horvath found the unmarked Adeniran, whose shot crashed against the underside of the crossbar (70').

From there, the ball bounced off the ground and then off the Celtic goalkeeper's back. Still, the ball just wouldn't go in, and Donovan cleared the leather away before it crossed the line.

The Kühbauer XI continued to press for the fourth goal. In the 84th minute, a Jorgensen shot narrowly missed the target.

Flecker Rescues LASK

Then, in the first minute of stoppage time, it happened: After a cross from Bello, Törnich's powerful header was initially saved by Sinisalo. However, the rebound landed right at Flecker's feet, who threw himself at the ball and pushed it over the line to equalize.

With that, LASK leveled the aggregate score against Celtic and forced extra time.

There, Usor created the first shot with an overhead kick, but put the ball wide of the goal (93').

Adeniran Decides the Match

In the 109th minute, the Linz team crowned their comeback: Schöpf won the ball, Danek passed it on, and Adeniran drilled it – similar to his first goal – into the far corner from about 20 meters.

Consequently, the Scots threw everything forward. However, on a counter-attack, Danek was brought down in the penalty area, winning a penalty. Adeniran missed from the spot, thereby squandering an early decision (115').

The mistake went unpunished; the Linz defense withstood the final offensive and, after 120 minutes, secured their place in the group stage of the premier class (Champions League).