Samuel Adeniran scored twice, including the decisive extra-time goal, as LASK produced one of the most remarkable comebacks in UEFA Champions League qualifying history to eliminate Celtic and reach the competition’s league phase for the first time in the Austrian club’s history.
LASK overturned a 3–0 first-leg deficit and an early 4–0 aggregate disadvantage to defeat the Scottish champions 5–1 after extra time at the Raiffeisen Arena in Linz, completing a sensational 5–4 aggregate victory. UEFA confirmed the achievement as LASK’s first-ever qualification for the Champions League league phase.
Celtic appeared firmly in control after captain Callum McGregor extended their advantage in the 21st minute. But the Austrian champions responded with extraordinary intensity. Moses Usor restored hope with the equaliser in the 32nd minute before Robert Ljubičić put LASK ahead shortly after the restart. Adeniran then struck in the 58th minute to reduce the aggregate deficit to one goal.
With Celtic seemingly seconds away from surviving the onslaught, substitute Florian Flecker headed LASK level on the night in the 90th minute, sending the tie into extra time.
Adeniran then completed the extraordinary turnaround in the 109th minute, firing LASK’s fifth goal of the night and putting the Austrian side ahead on aggregate for the first time. The Houston-born forward subsequently had an opportunity to complete his hat-trick from the penalty spot but missed in the 115th minute. LASK nevertheless held on to secure a historic 5–4 aggregate victory.
The victory represents a landmark moment for LASK, who had never previously reached the Champions League league phase. The club had already enjoyed a remarkable 2025/26 domestic campaign, winning the Austrian Bundesliga title and the Austrian Cup, before completing its European breakthrough against Celtic. LASK’s own account described the comeback as the “Miracle of Linz.”
For Adeniran, the performance adds another extraordinary chapter to his rise. The 27-year-old American-born forward is of Nigerian descent and is the son of former Ranchers Bees Kaduna & Nigerian International, Victor Adebisi Adeniran, formerly known as Victor Ogunsanya. His father played professionally in Nigeria before moving to the United States.
Adeniran was not the only player with Nigerian connections involved in LASK’s historic triumph. Moses Usor, who opened the comeback and provided the assist for Ljubičić’s goal, also played a major role, while United States international George Bello started at left wing-back and completed the match.
The result also ends Celtic’s Champions League campaign at the play-off stage for the second consecutive season. The Scottish champions had appeared to have the tie under control after their commanding first-leg victory, but LASK’s extraordinary response turned what looked like an almost impossible task into one of the most memorable European comebacks in the club’s history. Celtic will now continue their European campaign in the UEFA Europa League.
For Nigerian football followers, Adeniran’s contribution provides another reason to celebrate a player with deep Nigerian football roots making his mark on one of Europe’s biggest stages.
Two goals, a historic comeback and a place in the Champions League league phase — Samuel Adeniran has written his name into LASK history.
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