Kairat Almaty wrote the history of Kazakh football by securing qualification for the Champions League group for the first time, after an incredible success against Scottish giant Celtic, winner of the treble in the 1966-67 season.
The hero of the challenge was 21-year-old goalkeeper Temirlan Anarbekov, who was activated in emergency conditions, but turned into a legend. He waited for three crucial penalties on the 11-meter series, understanding the wing of Idah, McCowan and Maeda; and leading his own to the miracle.
In 180 minutes of play and extra-time, Celtic dominated with experience, but never found solutions in the face of the discipline and fighting spirit of the locals. With the referee's last whistle, the stadium erupted in extraordinary celebration. Kairat became the second team from Kazakhstan to reach the Champions League groups, after Astana a decade ago.
On the other hand, for Brendan Rodgers and Celtic, this elimination is a heavy sporting and financial blow, as the loss of the group costs the club millions of euros in revenue.