Celtic and Bodø/Glimt take charge of Champions League play-offs
Celtic and Bodø/Glimt took major steps toward the Champions League league phase with commanding first-leg wins in the 2026/27 play-off round, both earning two-goal cushions on Wednesday night. Celtic beat LASK 3-0 in Glasgow, while Bodø/Glimt claimed a 3-1 away victory at NEC Nijmegen, leaving both clubs strongly placed ahead of the return legs.
Celtic and Bodø/Glimt seize control in Champions League play-offs
The 2026/27 UEFA Champions League play-offs took a decisive turn on Wednesday night as Celtic and Bodø/Glimt delivered statement first-leg wins to move within touching distance of the competition’s league phase.
According to UEFA’s official round-up, Celtic produced a "ruthless display of clinical finishing" in Glasgow to defeat LASK 3-0 in the first leg of their play-off tie at Celtic Park.UEFA Champions League report
Celtic make their move at Celtic Park
Celtic’s win over LASK was one of the standout results of Wednesday’s play-off programme and puts the Scottish champions in a commanding position ahead of the return leg.
Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport reports that Celtic "have practically secured qualification" after beating the Austrian side 3-0 at home, highlighting the significance of the margin at this stage of the qualifiers.Corriere dello Sport
Live score services and fixture lists confirm the 3-0 full-time scoreline, underlining how comfortable the hosts were on the night.Sporting Life scores
With the modern Champions League format putting increased emphasis on securing a place in the league phase, the scale of Celtic’s first-leg win gives them significant breathing room before they travel to Austria.
Bodø/Glimt repeat the trick away at NEC
If Celtic’s performance was authoritative, Bodø/Glimt matched it with an impressive away win in the Netherlands.
UEFA’s summary notes that Bodø/Glimt strengthened their hopes of a second successive Champions League appearance with a 3-1 victory at NEC Nijmegen, taking control of the tie thanks to a strong showing on the road.UEFA Champions League report
Corriere dello Sport likewise underscores how the Norwegian side have "practically secured qualification" after winning 3-1 away to NEC, again pointing to the importance of the two-goal cushion with home advantage to come.Corriere dello Sport
Results lists from Wednesday’s Champions League qualifying card confirm the 1-3 scoreline in Nijmegen, placing Bodø/Glimt among the evening’s big winners.Sporting Life scores
Other play-off first-leg results
The evening’s programme also delivered tight contests elsewhere in the play-off round:
- Hapoel Be’er Sheva 2–1 Sabah – The Israeli side edged the first leg, taking a narrow but valuable lead into the return game.Sporting Life scores
- Slovan Bratislava 1–1 Celje – The tie remains finely balanced after a draw in Slovakia, leaving everything to play for in the second leg.Sporting Life scores
These results are part of the final qualifying hurdle before clubs can secure their place in the Champions League’s league phase, making every goal and every margin critical.
What it means in the wider picture
With domestic leagues on the cusp of their new seasons, the Champions League play-offs represent a crucial early test of squad readiness and competitive sharpness.
For Celtic, a 3-0 advantage against LASK offers a powerful platform to finish the job and return to Europe’s top competition with momentum.UEFA Champions League report
For Bodø/Glimt, another strong away performance in continental play keeps alive the prospect of consecutive Champions League campaigns, a significant achievement for the Norwegian club.UEFA Champions League report
As the second legs loom, both clubs are now in positions of strength — but with qualification not yet mathematically secured, the job is not quite finished.