Celtic were defeated 2-0 at home by Braga in the Europa League, a game marred by a startling VAR decision that went against them. Celtic initially appeared to pose a threat, with Sebastien Tounekti coming close.
However, Braga immediately found a gap when Ricardo Horta’s surprising long-range attempt outlasted Kasper Schmeichel’s frantic lunge. Throughout the first half, the hosts struggled to generate opportunities.
Seven minutes after the break, Kelechi Iheanacho thought he had restored parity, but his goal was controversially disallowed due to handball following a VAR review.
The Hoops appeared to be on the verge of scoring a second goal when Lukas Hornicek saved Tounekti’s stinging drive in the 74th minute. However, Braga extended their lead in the final minutes when Dane Murray’s clearing struck Gabri Martinez and went into an open net. The game ended 2-0. Gustaf Lagerbielke was not cited for displaying an artificial yellow card. After spending the previous season on loan at FC Twente, Gustaf Lagerbielke left Celtic to join Braga in the summer.
He was fortunate not to have received a booking upon his return to Parkhead. After winning a free kick on the right side of his attacking final third, which was correctly granted by Stieler, he stood up and waved an imaginary yellow card at the referee, implying that he should have booked Benjamin Nygren. Callum McGregor committed an infraction that deserved a yellow card. Celtic captain Callum McGregor was another player who should have been cautioned, but this time by the hosts. McGregor has struggled to make an impression this season alongside Reo Hatate, and this encounter was no different.
Braga’s midfield allowed him to run around, and he took out his displeasure on Pau Victor with a cynical foul well past the halfway line, seconds before the half-time whistle. Stieler should have checked the VAR screen for Kelechi Iheanacho’s goal. Celtic thought they had equalised in the 52nd minute when Iheanacho escaped some shoddy Braga defending to calmly send the ball past Hornicek, resulting in a 1-1 tie. The goal was initially awarded with no objections from the custodian or defender.
However, VAR examined the action and ruled that the former Leicester striker used his arm to steer the ball into his own goal. As a result, the goal was disallowed for handball.
The choice was obviously contentious and highly questionable. Instead of relying entirely on the VAR’s findings, Stieler should have demanded to observe the handball himself. This would have led to a more conclusive and convincing decision.
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