Ferencváros were first on the board in the 20th minute. A patient move down the right ended with Bamidele darting in behind and guiding a left‑footed finish into the far corner after a neat feed from Zachariassen. Celtic responded well and equalised on 44 minutes, when Kieran Tierney’s delivery found Baur, who swept home left‑footed with control and calm.

Parity lasted barely a minute. Right on 45 minutes, Bamidele turned provider again, squaring for Zachariassen to steer in from close range and restore the away lead. That one-two punch carried into the second half. At 47 minutes, Arzani took Bamidele’s pass in space, drove inside and fired high to make it 3-1. Celtic pushed through waves of crosses and corners, but the green-and-whites in black held firm. Late yellow cards for Jonathan Levi and Attila Osváth hardly dented a composed away performance. An injury to Mariano Gómez at 81 minutes prompted a reshuffle, yet Ferencváros saw it out with minimal fuss.

How the numbers shaped a 1-3 away win

Celtic owned the ball with 63% possession and led total shots 16-14, yet Ferencváros put more on target 6-4. Expected goals was almost level (Celtic 1.01, Ferencváros 0.98), but expected goals on target told the real story (1.05 vs 2.21). The visitors’ finishing and shot placement were superior when it counted. Celtic created more big chances (3-1) and had 37 touches in the opposition box compared to 16 for Ferencváros, which underlines how much territory the hosts enjoyed.

Set pieces and delivery reflected that territorial edge: Celtic won 11 corners to 3, and recorded 57 final-third entries against 41. Even so, the away side defended their box relentlessly, making 39 clearances to Celtic’s 16. Ferencváros also matched Celtic for interceptions (11-11) and edged recoveries 41-38, limiting the second balls that usually feed home pressure at Celtic Park. On duels, Celtic held a slim advantage overall (53% to 46%), but the visitors stayed competitive in key areas. The flow of the match shows a classic pattern: control vs. precision, with Ferencváros’ precision winning the night.

Celtic’s pressure, limited punch

Brendan Rodgers’ side threaded plenty of passes, completing 533 of 596 and finding the final third frequently. Callum McGregor was immaculate with 62 of 62 passes completed, aiding circulation and keeping Celtic on the front foot. Tierney offered thrust down the left, supplying five tackles, two key passes and the assist for Baur’s equaliser. James Forrest was lively with seven crosses and three shots, but also logged a big chance missed as the final touch deserted him at key moments.

From the bench, Sebastian Tounekti added spark with one shot on target and six progressive carries, and Benjamin Nygren found two key passes but also missed a big chance. For all the pressure, Celtic managed only four shots on target. The visitors blocked eight attempts and forced rushed shooting angles. Notably, Viljami Sinisalo’s goals prevented tally stood at -0.79, reflecting how Ferencváros’ shot placement and power nudged the margin. Despite 39 crosses, Celtic’s accuracy settled at 26%, and their second‑half on‑target count dropped to one. The passing map was tidy, the finishing map less so.

Ferencváros’ efficient plan and standout performers

Bamidele led the show with a goal, two assists and four key passes, earning a Sofascore Rating of 9. He repeatedly attacked space behind the full-back and chose the right option in transition. Arzani added the killer third with a right‑footed strike that carried serious xGOT value, a nod to quality shot execution. Captain Kristoffer Zachariassen was busy and direct, taking four shots, scoring once and linking smartly with Bamidele.

At the back, Toon Raemaekers made 10 clearances and won crucial duels, while Cadu balanced overlaps with defensive work against a steady stream of crosses. The collective defending was clear in the numbers: 39 clearances, 41 recoveries and equal interceptions to Celtic, all while absorbing long spells of pressure. Ferencváros attempted more counters than dribbles, yet their direct running still mattered, especially from Bamidele and Arzani. Their dribble success rate was low overall, but the carries they did complete drove progression at the right times. When the chances came, they hit the target. That, more than anything, separated the sides.