Red Star fight back to hold Celtic in Europa League opener

BELGRADE – Red Star Belgrade came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against Celtic in their Europa League opener on Thursday, extending the Scottish champions’ wait for an away win in European competition to nearly three years.

Celtic had most of the possession in the first half but struggled to create clear chances, with Benjamin Nygren forcing Matheus into a routine save from a free-kick. At the other end, Kasper Schmeichel produced a superb stop to divert Bruno Duarte’s strike onto the woodwork before Marko Arnautović volleyed wide.

The visitors broke through early in the second half when substitute Kelechi Iheanacho collected Nygren’s pass and struck into the top corner for his first Celtic goal. Red Star hit back nine minutes later, Franklin Tebo Uchenna setting up Arnautović to level from close range.

Both sides pushed for a winner, with Schmeichel and Matheus making key saves in the closing stages, but neither could find a decisive second goal. Red Star, who dropped into the competition after missing out on the Champions League, took a point to add to their strong domestic form. Celtic, meanwhile, have now gone winless away from home in Europe since October 2021.