Motherwell lost 2-3 to Celtic at Fir Park thanks to a last
kick of the game controversial penalty.
It was a contest that raged from end to end over 96 minutes but
the decisive moment came at the end when the VAR called John Beaton to review an
alleged hand ball following a throw-in.
He awarded the penalty, Iheanachu scored and Beaton blew the final
whistle as the Celtic staff and some supporters streamed on to the pitch.
It was an unbelievable end and means that Motherwell must avoid defeat at Easter Road if they are
to hold on to fourth place and a guarantee of European football.
Pyro fine on the way
Motherwell played so well (again) in the first half and took
the lead when Elliot Watt (in the 140th anniversary strip) scored with
the help of a slight deflection from 22 yards.
The Steelemen continued to spray the ball over the pristine surface and were a
joy to watch.
Celtic equalised just before the break when a fortunate break
of the ball presented Maeda with a view of the goal. He found the net. His side might have taken the lead a minute
later when Engels’ lob over the grounded ‘keeper hit the bar.
Eli Just burst into the box after the restart but the finish
was poor. Nygren gave the visitors the
lead on the hour with a decent drive from the edge of the box and the home fans
feared the worse.
Substitutes came on as Motherwell strove to score. Regan Charles-Cook lifted the spirits and
after a barrage on Sinisalo’s goal Liam Gordon scored with five minutes
remaining.
It seemed that a draw was inevitable as the five added
minutes petered out but there was to be an unexpected final twist.
Jens Berthel Askou was as dumfounded as the fans after the
game. “An unreal moment, I can’t see where in any world that is a penalty”. And so say all of us.
Motherwell 2 Celtic 3
Attendance
Team: Ward,
O’Donnell, Koutroumbis (Gordon 81), Longelo, Fadinger, Said (Nicholson 81),
Watt, Sparrow, Slattery(Charles-Cook 86), Just(Hendry 86), Maswanhise (Nicholson
81)
Wednesday 13
May 2026
