Celtic Fall to Braga After Contentious Handball Decision

Celtic were left incensed by a controversial handball ruling against Kelechi Iheanacho as Braga secured a 2-0 Europa League victory at Celtic Park.

Iheanacho appeared to have drawn the hosts level six minutes after the restart, capitalising on a defensive lapse following Kasper Schmeichel’s fumbled save from Ricardo Horta’s speculative first-half strike. The striker pounced on a loose pass, challenged former Celtic defender Gustaf Lagerbielke, and calmly slotted the ball home.

Replays showed the ball had struck Iheanacho’s face rather than his arm, yet German referee Tobias Stieler disallowed the goal. After a lengthy review lasting more than two minutes, VAR official Christian Dingert upheld the decision, despite no clear evidence of handball being visible on the television footage.

Celtic’s spirited response falls short

Brendan Rodgers’ side pushed forward in search of an equaliser, with Kieran Tierney and Sebastian Tounekti both testing goalkeeper Lukas Horníček during an end-to-end second half. Celtic’s best opportunities came through Tierney’s back-post header and a low drive from Tounekti, both superbly denied by the Braga keeper.

However, their hopes were dashed five minutes from time when Gabri Martinez converted on the rebound after Schmeichel and Liam Scales had blocked initial attempts. The defeat leaves Celtic with just one point from their opening two group matches.

Protests continue to simmer

Off the pitch, fan discontent with the club’s hierarchy continued. The Celtic Fans Collective had called off a planned 29th-minute silence late on Wednesday after supporter groups accepted an invitation to meet with board members on Monday. Nonetheless, chants of “all Celtic fans against the board” and calls for chairman Peter Lawwell’s resignation rang around the stadium following Braga’s second goal.

Shaky start and defensive concerns

Celtic had begun brightly, with Tounekti delivering a dangerous ball across the box and forcing an early save. Yet warning signs quickly emerged as Schmeichel, making several errors in possession, conceded in the 20th minute.

Horta’s strike from 35 yards swerved awkwardly after Paulo Bernardo failed to close him down, but the shot lacked pace and placement. Schmeichel, seemingly wrong-footed, could only claw the ball upwards and into his own net.

The goal rattled Celtic, who required strong defensive interventions from Scales and two important saves from Schmeichel to prevent Braga from extending their lead before half-time.

Rodgers introduced Marcelo Saracchi for Colby Donovan at the interval, shifting Tierney into a back three. The adjustment brought greater stability, and Iheanacho spurned a good chance with a heavy touch before his disallowed goal became the turning point of the night.

Despite brave defending and attacking intent in the second half, Celtic’s vulnerability remained. Braga capitalised late on, leaving Rodgers’ men with work to do if they are to progress in the competition.