FC Midtjylland 3-1 Celtic – Defensive cracks show as Bhoys battered in Denmark | OneFootball

FC MIDTJYLLAND (Erlic 34′, Gogorza 35′, Franculino 41′) 3 – 1 CELTIC (Hatate 81′ pen.) MCH Arena, Herning. Attendance: 10,387

2025/2026.UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE FC MIDTJYLLAND – CELTIC . Photo KAROL POLIT/ newspix.pl

An abject first-half performance saw Celtic slump to a 3-1 defeat in Denmark on Martin O’Neill’s European return.

Three goals in eight minutes before the break from Martin Erlic, Mikel Gogorza and Dju Franculino were enough to sink the Bhoys, despite Reo Hatate responding with a late penalty. The visitors mustered just three shots on target as issues all over the pitch saw Celtic leave Denmark resoundingly beaten.

After Arne Engels’ tame first-minute effort, Midtjylland were afforded a plethora of chances thanks to lax defending and poor distribution from Kasper Schmeichel. Of the hosts’ eight shots inside 15 minutes, Mads Bech’s unmarked miss and Franculino’s scuffed finish were the best chances.

FC Midtjylland v Celtic- The teams line up. Photo The Celtic Star

Having withstood the early barrage, the Bhoys’ first real chance fell to Benjamin Nygren from a short free kick, but his edge-of-the-box effort rose well over Elias Olafsson’s goal. Midtjylland responded with a fantastic opportunity for forward Cho Gue-sung. Schmeichel stopped the South Korean’s initial effort, and Tony Ralston put his body on the line to keep the second out, requiring momentary treatment. Former forgettable Ibrox loanee Kevin Mbabu headed straight at Schmeichel from a corner as the hosts continued to dominate the first 25 minutes.

Martin Erlic of FC Midtjylland scores the opening goal Midtjylland vs Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Group Stage, Football, MCH Arena, Herning, Denmark – 06 Nov 2025Herning MCH Arena Denmark Photo Michael Zemanek IMAGO/Shutterstock

Following a fantastic stop from Schmeichel denying Osorio, the floodgates opened. Young winger Gogorza clipped a cross up for Erlic to head home and give the hosts the lead. Moments later, Gogorza caught Ralston napping once more and curled a fine effort past a helpless Schmeichel, and the third came after Celtic failed to deal with another set piece as Guinea-Bissau dangerman Dju finished skillfully from 15 yards out. The hosts nearly grabbed a fourth on the stroke of half-time, Cho slipping on the slick Herning surface to squander an unmarked opportunity at goal.

Daizen Maeda and Callum Osmand’s half-time introduction looked to stop the bleeding and create some chances, with Johnny Kenny and James Forrest departing after anonymous performances. Truthfully, Kenny and Forrest were casualties of O’Neill’s setup, where little midfield presence could be found to link the play.

Ralston’s skidding low drive on 56 minutes was speculative, and a launched counter-attack came to nothing despite Maeda rounding Olafsson. Midtjylland pulled two of their goalscorers, along with the dangerous Osorio, on the hour mark and immediately came close to a fourth, substitute Denil Castillo’s first touch of the ball trickling past the post with Danish number one Schmeichel stranded. Chants of ‘sack the board’ rang through the cold Jutland evening as the Green Brigade made their feelings abundantly clear.

Callum Osmand of Celtic is injured Midtjylland vs Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Group Stage, Football, MCH Arena, Herning, Denmark – 06 Nov 2025Herning MCH Arena Denmark: Photo Michael Zemane. IMAGO/Shutterstock

With 20 minutes left and both sides seeming content with managing this game to its conclusion, the Bhoys were awarded a penalty when Osmand was tripped from behind by goalscorer Erlic. Substitute Hatate stepped up and fired home in front of the Celtic fans to save some face. Late chances began to pop up as Osmand’s cross was just swiped away from replacement Mikel-Ange Balikwisha at the back post.

To add insult to injury, the Bhoys finished the game with ten men as, with all substitutions made, young man Osmand was stretchered off in tears late on.

Kasper Schmeichel of Celtic applauds the fans with team-mates after the match Midtjylland vs Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Group Stage, Football, MCH Arena, Herning, Denmark – 06 Nov 2025Herning MCH Arena Denmark Photo Michael Zemanek IMAGO/Shutterstock

Despite the hosts’ impressive performances thus far in European competition, this one will still sting for Martin O’Neill’s side. Celtic find themselves on four points halfway through the league phase, while Midtjylland remain top with maximum points.

FC MIDTJYLLAND: Olafsson; Mbabu, Erlic (Diao 85), Bech, Lee; Billing (Byskov 71), Bravo; Gogorza (Simsir 59), Osorio (Castillo 59), Cho, Franculino (Brumado 59) Subs: Lössl, Ugboh, Diao, Bak, Paulinho, Silva, Castillo, Djabi, Byskov, Simsir, Etim, Brumado

CELTIC: Schmeichel; Ralston, Trusty, Scales, Tierney; McGregor, Engels (Bernardo 75), Nygren (Hatate 69); Forrest (Maeda HT), Kenny (Osmand HT), Tounekti (Balikwisha 75) Subs: Sinisalo, Doohan, Balikwisha, Yang, McCowan, Osmand, Bernardo, Saracchi, Maeda, Hatate, Murray, Donovan

Player of the Match: Mikel Gogorza (FC Midtjylland)