Europa League’s lighter ball possible reason for Schmeichel’s howler

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The Celtic Star

·4. Oktober 2025

Europa League’s lighter ball possible reason for Schmeichel’s howler

Sporting Braga legend Ricardo Horta has suggested that the ball’s lighter feel made it possible for him to beat Kasper Schmeichel from long-range in their historic win over Celtic on Thursday night…

Kasper Schmeichel of Celtic FC during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26, Celtic FC vs SC Braga, Celtic Park, on 02/10/2025. Photo Colin Poultney PSI

The Hoops suffered a brutal 2-0 defeat in their second Europa League outing of the season, with Braga making history as the first Portuguese team to claim victory at Celtic Park following 12 failed attempts.

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Veteran Danish goalkeeper Schmeichel came under fire for not saving Horta’s strike from distance, and Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers acknowledged the 38 year-old would feel ‘disappointed’ by the mistake.

Horta revealed post-match that the lightness of the official UEFA ball allowed him to make it swerve through the air.

Ricardo Horta of Sporting Braga celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Celtic FC and SC Braga at Celtic Park on October 02, 2025.(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Speaking via Daily Record, the Braga playmaker said: “Europa League balls are actually lighter and they have different spins. So I decided to try my luck and it resulted in a goal. It was a very important victory.”

“We wanted to build on our first game, where we beat Feyenoord, because in this format, it’s so important to collect as many points as early as possible.”

Horta added: “We all put in a strong team performance and I want to congratulate my teammates. I wasn’t aware of the history behind the win – we were only caring about getting the three points.”

“But if we have made a milestone for Portuguese football, then that is a bonus,” he said.

Celtic return to action tomorrow afternoon against an impressive Motherwell side who will be licking their lips coming to Glasgow’s east end.

Aberdeen v Motherwell Premier Sports Cup 20/09/2025. Referee John Beaton and Motherwell s Manager Jens Berthel Askou during the Premier Sports Quarter Final match between Aberdeen and Motherwell at Pittodrie on 20 September 2025. Photo Stephen Dobson PSI-IMAGO

Unbeaten in six Premiership games, Jens Berthel Askou’s side have arguably played the best football in the league so far this campaign and won’t feel anxious coming to play the Scottish champions.

It is imperative for Rodgers and his players they get three points. Anything less would be damaging. The club needs a reset during the international break as it’s currently limping along just now.

Conor Spence

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Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star

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Celtic 3-0 St Mirren, Scottish Premier League, Celtic Park, 15 May 1982.Celtic captain Danny McGrain collects the championship trophy as Roy Aitken looks on. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books

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