Late Maeda strike denies Motherwell as Iheanacho shines with cool penalty finish
Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho got on the scoresheet for Celtic as they battled to a thrilling 3–2 comeback win over Motherwell on Sunday in the Scottish Premiership. While Celtic celebrated a vital three points, Motherwell were left to rue what might have been, having led for most of the second half. Nigerian midfielder Ibrahim Muhammad Said, a Motherwell player, did not feature in the matchday squad.
How the Match Unfolded
The match, played at a buzzing Celtic Park was a rollercoaster of drama, intensity, and late heartbreak.
Celtic drew first blood in the 28th minute when Kelechi Iheanacho confidently slotted home a penalty. The spot kick was awarded after Callum McGregor’s goal-bound shot struck the arm of Regan Charles-Cook inside the box.
Motherwell hit back in the 40th minute as Apostolos Stamatelopoulos headed home a cross from Tawanda Maswanhise, silencing the home crowd and restoring parity before halftime.
The Steelmen took the lead five minutes after the restart, this time from the penalty spot themselves. A VAR check confirmed a foul on Maswanhise, and Stamatelopoulos calmly dispatched the penalty to make it 2–1.
Celtic equalised in the 69th minute when Benjamin Nygren punished a misplaced pass by Motherwell goalkeeper Calum Ward.
Just when it looked like Motherwell would leave Glasgow with a hard-earned point, Daizen Maeda rose highest in the 92nd minute to head home a cross from substitute Michel-Ange Balikwisha, snatching a dramatic late winner.
📊 Match Stats
| Metric | Celtic | Motherwell |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 3 | 2 |
| Possession | 62% | 38% |
| Shots (on target) | 16 (9) | 5 (3) |
| Corners | 10 | 0 |
| Saves | 1 | 6 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 0 |
The Decisive Moment
Motherwell looked set to hold on for a deserved draw until the 92nd minute. Balikwisha, introduced late in the second half, sent in a teasing delivery from the left that was met by a glancing header from Maeda. The ball nestled into the far corner, sparking wild celebrations among the Celtic faithful and breaking Motherwell hearts.
What This Means for Both Teams
Celtic move up to second place on the league table, just two points behind leaders Hearts, reigniting their title charge after a patchy run of form. The win also marks a strong showing from their Nigerian star Iheanacho, who continues to adapt seamlessly to Scottish football.
Motherwell, on the other hand, saw their impressive 14-match unbeaten run come to an abrupt end. However, they will take positives from the game, having pushed the defending champions to the brink on their home turf.
Iheanacho Stars, Muhammad Said Missing
While Kelechi Iheanacho continues to flourish in Celtic green, scoring his fourth goal of the season, fellow Nigerian Ibrahim Muhammad Said who plays for Motherwell was not part of the matchday squad. The 21-year-old winger, signed from Denmark’s Viborg, has been working his way into the first team setup and is expected to feature in coming matches.
Reaction and What’s Next
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers praised his team’s resilience and spirit, calling the win “a character-building performance.” Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou, though visibly disappointed, said he was proud of his team’s bravery and execution. Next up, Celtic face Hibernian in a tricky away clash, while Motherwell will host St. Johnstone – a chance to bounce back and return to winning ways.
Stay updated with the latest in sports at www.hotsportsscoops.com — First with the fresh scoops.