Celtic 1-1 Shakhtar Donetsk: Bhoys´ hopes of Europa League consolation crushed

Celtic’s hopes of securing a spot in the Europa League knockout stages came to an end after a 1-1 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk at Celtic Park.

The Bhoys needed a win in their penultimate Champions League group-stage match to have a chance of continental football in the new year, and Georgios Giakoumakis put the hosts ahead nine minutes before the break, tucking in after Liel Abada’s shot was blocked.

But Mykhailo Mudryk’s fine form in the competition continued when he smashed in a second-half equaliser from outside the box, his fifth goal involvement in five matches (three goals, two assists).

Both sides then squandered big opportunities for a winner, with Kyogo Furuhashi firing straight at Anatolii Trubin when one-on-one and Danylo Sikan somehow missing an open goal after Mudryk’s square pass.

Furuhashi’s missed chance was particularly costly for Celtic as they exited Europe, unable to finish anywhere other than bottom of Group F.

Yet a Sikan winner would also have had a huge impact on Shakhtar’s ambitions, as they are third and now require a win against RB Leipzig in their final match to reach the Champions League last 16.

#CelticShakhtar ends level. #UCL | #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/Pxe56ZDd3C

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) October 25, 2022