When Celtic Football Club hosted SK Sturm Graz at Celtic Park on October 23, 2025, the Scottish side clinched a 2‑1 victory that could reshape its Europa League hopes. The win handed Celtic three points in the League Phase, while the Austrian side left empty‑handed, a swing that may prove decisive as the season progresses. Brendan Rodgers, the club’s manager since June 2023, praised the adaptability of Benjamin Nygren and the return to form of Arne Engels, underscoring how set‑piece mastery tip‑topped the encounter.

Match Overview: How the Goals Unfolded

The first half began with Sturm Graz pressing high, but Celtic’s early dominance forced the Austrian side onto the back foot. Around the 27th minute, Nygren — usually deployed as a winger — drifted inside the box after a clever diagonal run. He slotted a low‑driven finish past the goalkeeper, giving the home fans a roar that echoed through the Parkhead district. Sturm responded with a header in the 39th minute, but a defensive lapse meant the ball found the net again for Celtic just before the break, courtesy of a corner that Engel’s curling delivery left untouched before the ball fell to Nygren for a second strike. The second half was a tense affair; Sturm’s equaliser came from a swift counter‑attack in the 58th minute, yet Celtic restored the lead five minutes later when Engels, fresh from the bench, surged forward and unleashed a powerful free‑kick that rattled the cross‑bar and settled in the net.

Tactical Shifts and Player Performances

Rodgers’ decision to slot Nygren into a more central role surprised many pundits. The Swedish forward, who signed from IFK Norrköping on July 1, 2024, displayed “courage” — as his manager phrased it — by repeatedly taking on defenders and creating space for midfield runners. Engels, the 21‑year‑old Belgian midfielder who rejoined the squad after a minor hamstring setback, delivered what Rodgers called “world‑class” set‑piece execution. His free‑kick goal illustrated a perfect blend of technique and timing, a reminder of why he’s already being touted as one of the league’s emerging play‑makers.

Defensively, Celtic leaned on veteran centre‑back Carl Starfelt, whose aerial prowess helped nullify Sturm’s aerial threat. For Sturm Graz, striker Marko Šafarič tried to impose himself, but the Celtic backline’s compact shape limited his influence.

Rodgers’ Post‑Match Take

In the locker‑room, Rodgers told UEFA reporters: “So happy for the likes of Benji. He’s playing out of position, showed courage to keep going, he eventually gets his goal. Arne, I thought, was outstanding in the game. Coming back in, he gave us that energy and that fight and his set‑piece quality really is world class.” The manager’s comments highlighted two core ideas: flexibility in player roles and the impact of set‑piece proficiency. By praising Nygren’s adaptability, Rodgers hinted that Celtic may continue to shuffle attacking positions to destabilise opponents. Engels’ resurgence, meanwhile, suggests a deeper bench can be leveraged when injuries strike.

Broadcast Reach and Fan Atmosphere

The match streamed live on Stan Sport for several territories and on CBS Sports Golazo – Europe for viewers in the United States. Both platforms posted extended highlight reels on YouTube within hours, pulling in over 1.2 million combined views by midnight. Local fan‑generated footage, uploaded by YouTuber RonnieJ67, captured the sea of green and white scarves, the echoing chants of “Let’s go Celtic,” and the palpable tension during the free‑kick that eventually proved decisive.

What This Means for Celtic’s Europa League Campaign

With three points now on the board, Celtic sits near the top of its League Phase group, edging closer to a guaranteed knockout‑stage berth. The win also injects confidence ahead of the upcoming match on Matchday 4, where the club will travel to Køge to face Danish side FC Midtjylland. Analysts at the Glasgow Herald note that if Rodgers continues to rotate his squad while preserving cohesion, Celtic could finish the phase with an unbeaten record — a rare feat for a Scottish side in recent Europa history.

Historical Context and Future Outlook

Historically, Celtic’s European exploits have been a roller‑coaster. The club reached the Europa League round of 16 in the 2023‑24 season, only to be knocked out by FC Porto on away‑goals. Sturm Graz, meanwhile, made a brief splash in the 2023‑24 Champions League group stage before dropping into the Conference League. Both teams are eager to rewrite their continental narratives, and this encounter offered a snapshot of how tactical flexibility and set‑piece expertise can tip the scales.

• Result: Celtic 2‑1 Sturm Graz
• Goal scorers: Benjamin Nygren (2), Arne Engels (1)
• Venue: Celtic Park, Glasgow
• Attendance: ~58,000 (official)
• Implication: Celtic earn three points; group leaders still undecided