Japan forward Daizen Maeda scored a late header in Celtic’s 2-1 loss at home to Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League knockout phase playoff tie Wednesday.
Maeda’s 79th-minute goal was his fourth in Europe’s premier club football tournament. While his four Champions League goals tied for the most by a Japanese player, following Shinji Kagawa and Takumi Minamino, he is the first among them to score all four in a single season.
Daizen Maeda (C) of Celtic scores a goal in the second half of a Champions League football match against Bayern Munich on Feb. 12, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Kyodo)
Michael Olise and Harry Kane put Bayern in full control of the match with goals either side of halftime until Maeda gave the Scottish side a lifeline.
Maeda and midfielder Reo Hatate played the full match for Celtic, while Japan defender Hiroki Ito came off the bench in the 78th minute to make his Bayern debut.
Daizen Maeda (foreground) of Celtic plays in a Champions League football match against Bayern Munich on Feb. 12, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Kyodo)
Reo Hatate (L) of Celtic attempts a shot at goal in a Champions League football match against Bayern Munich on Feb. 12, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Kyodo)
Ito joined Bayern from Stuttgart last June but remained sidelined after suffering a metatarsal fracture in July.
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