Camilo Durán Leads Celtic to Commanding Champions League Play-Off Win Over LASK

Celtic entered the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League play-offs with renewed ambition after a painful exit from the competition the previous year. The Scottish champions had crashed out in dramatic fashion, squandering a four-goal aggregate lead against LASK, which led to heavy criticism and soul-searching at the club.

The team responded by strengthening their squad in the summer, bringing in new signings including Camilo Durán, Baur, and Hogh. The media highlighted the importance of these additions ahead of their rematch with LASK, with fans eager to see a turnaround on the European stage.

Excitement grew as the play-off tie approached, with broadcasters across Europe covering the match and supporters hoping for a step back into the Champions League group phase.

On August 19, 2026, Celtic hosted LASK at home for the first leg of the Champions League play-off. The match was broadcast live and closely followed by fans and media alike, reflecting its significance for both clubs.

According to in.gr and El Colombiano, Celtic took control early and established a commanding lead. Camilo Durán emerged as the star of the night, scoring two goals. His strikes were described as impressive and crucial for the team's strong performance. Benjamin Nygren added a third goal, further strengthening Celtic's advantage, as reported by The42 and The Guardian.

Sky Sports noted that Celtic survived an early scare when a LASK goal was ruled out for offside. After that, the home side dominated proceedings. The Guardian added that LASK had two goals disallowed, but Celtic kept a clean sheet throughout.

By the final whistle, the 3-0 result left Celtic with a strong chance of progressing to the Champions League group stage. Praise for Durán's impact was widespread, with BBC and Time.news highlighting his value to the team and the shift in mood from recent protests to optimism.

Celtic holds a 3-0 aggregate lead after the first leg of the play-off against LASK. The result puts them in a commanding position ahead of the return match in Austria.

Media coverage widely credits Camilo Durán's two-goal performance for revitalizing the team's European campaign. The atmosphere around the club has improved, and supporters are hopeful that Celtic will secure their place in the Champions League group stage.

The decisive second leg will take place in Austria, where Celtic will aim to protect or extend their lead. While the Scottish champions are in a strong position, the memory of last year's collapse against the same opponent lingers, adding a note of caution.

Fans and analysts are watching to see if Celtic can finish the job and confirm their return to Europe's top club competition.