Celtic FC produced a late surge to beat Besiktas JK 3-2 in a pulsating UEFA Europa League encounter at Celtic Park on 6 November 2026, with Adam Idah’s 84th-minute header settling a contest that had swung one way and then the other. Celtic had raced into a two-goal lead, were pegged back by a resilient Besiktas side, and then found one final moment of quality to claim three valuable points.

Match overview

Celtic started with the intensity expected of a home side in European competition, pressing high and forcing Besiktas into early errors. The opener arrived in the 14th minute when Daizen Maeda timed his run across the near post and converted Nicolas Kuhn’s low cross. Celtic doubled their advantage in the 38th minute through captain Callum McGregor, who arrived late at the edge of the box and guided a controlled low strike beyond the goalkeeper.

Besiktas responded well before the break. In first-half stoppage time, Rafa Silva found space between Celtic’s midfield and defence and finished calmly to make it 2-1. That goal changed the mood of the match, and the visitors carried that momentum into the second half. Besiktas equalised in the 67th minute when Semih Kılıçsoy latched onto Gedson Fernandes’ through ball and beat the goalkeeper with a composed finish.

With the game level and Celtic Park growing anxious, the home side turned to their bench and their set-piece threat. The winning goal came six minutes from time when Idah rose powerfully to meet Reo Hatate’s corner and headed into the corner. Besiktas pushed for a late equaliser, but Celtic defended their box with focus and saw out a dramatic victory.

Key moments

• 14th minute: Daizen Maeda opens the scoring for Celtic after a sharp move down the right.
• 38th minute: Callum McGregor doubles the lead with a low strike from the edge of the area.
• 45+2 minutes: Rafa Silva pulls one back for Besiktas with a calm finish.
• 67th minute: Semih Kılıçsoy equalises after a clever Gedson Fernandes pass.
• 84th minute: Adam Idah heads home Reo Hatate’s corner to win it for Celtic.
• 90+3 minutes: Celtic goalkeeper stands firm to deny a late Besiktas header.

Tactical story

Celtic’s 4-3-3 shape was built around quick circulation and aggressive pressing. McGregor and Hatate controlled the tempo in midfield, while the wide forwards stretched Besiktas and created space for late runners. The home side’s full-backs pushed high, allowing Celtic to sustain pressure, but that approach also left gaps for Besiktas to exploit on the counter-attack.

Besiktas grew into the game after changing their pressing triggers in the second half. Rafa Silva drifted into central areas, Gedson Fernandes carried the ball forward, and Kılıçsoy’s movement caused problems for Celtic’s centre-backs. In the end, however, set pieces and Celtic’s greater urgency in the final ten minutes proved decisive.

Standout performers

McGregor was central to Celtic’s best work, combining energy with composure in possession. Maeda’s movement and direct running gave Besiktas problems throughout, while Idah made the decisive impact from the bench. For Besiktas, Rafa Silva was the game’s most inventive attacker, and Gedson Fernandes’ drive kept the visitors in the contest.

What the result means

The win gives Celtic an important three points in the UEFA Europa League and reinforces their home form in European competition. It also shows the squad’s ability to respond after surrendering a two-goal lead. Besiktas leave with nothing despite a strong second-half performance, and they will need to turn promising spells into points in their next European fixture.