Kilmarnock 2-3 Celtic: Araujo's 97th-minute winner completes stunning comeback
Julian Araujo struck in the 97th minute as Celtic turned a 2-0 half-time deficit into a 3-2 victory at Rugby Park, a result that breathes fresh life into their Premiership title challenge. Kilmarnock had dominated the first half through goals from Tyreece John-Jules and Joe Hugill, but a reshuffled Celtic side produced a dramatic turnaround after the break.
Late drama seals remarkable recovery
Celtic looked down and out at half-time, trailing by two after sloppy defensive moments allowed Kilmarnock to build a clear lead. The visitors responded decisively at the interval with a series of substitutions that reshaped their attacking threat. Sebastian Tounekti pulled one back with a superb curling effort from distance, and momentum swung fully in Celtic's favour when Benjamin Nygren tapped home following a long throw from Araujo to level the scores.
As the contest entered stoppage time the home side appeared to be hanging on, but a corner in the dying moments was not cleared and Araujo reacted quickest to smash home from inside the box and secure all three points for the visitors. The strike came in the 97th minute and sparked wild celebrations among the travelling support.
How the game unfolded
Kilmarnock seized the initiative early and punished hesitant defending. Tyreece John-Jules curled a well-taken opener after a defensive error, and Joe Hugill doubled the advantage with a headed finish, capitalising on a moment of indecision from the opposition goalkeeper.
Despite their lead, Kilmarnock pushed for more and had several opportunities to extend the margin. John-Jules rattled the crossbar with a stunning free-kick and Robbie Deas nodded over from close range after a corner delivery. Celtic’s response arrived after the break: Tounekti’s long-range strike narrowed the gap and Nygren’s finish from Araujo’s throw restored parity. The mood at Rugby Park swung from jubilation for the hosts to stunned silence as the visitors completed their comeback.
The match also saw injury concerns for Kilmarnock, with John-Jules forced off late after sustaining a thigh issue. That subtraction removed one of the home side’s biggest threats in the closing stages and may have influenced the balance as Celtic hunted an equaliser and ultimately the winner.
Title implications and next steps
The victory keeps Celtic firmly in the hunt for the title. The win cuts the gap to the summit to three points, with Celtic holding a game in hand that could prove pivotal as the season progresses. Confidence will be lifted by the resilience shown at Rugby Park, while Kilmarnock will be left rueing missed chances and the concession of a late goal that cost them two valuable points.
For Celtic, the result underlines the squad’s depth and the impact of second-half tactical adjustments. For Kilmarnock, it is a bitter lesson in game management and concentration in the closing stages. Both sides now face a demanding schedule over the coming weeks, and the outcome at Rugby Park will be remembered as one of the more dramatic twists in this season’s title race.
