Kilmarnock 2-3 Celtic: Julian Araujo's 97th-minute strike seals remarkable comeback
Julian Araujo's dramatic 97th-minute finish completed a stunning Celtic comeback as they overturned a 2-0 half-time deficit to win 3-2 at Kilmarnock and keep pressure on the top of the table. Kilmarnock looked set for victory after first-half goals from Tyreece John-Jules and Joe Hugill, but a second-half revival led by Sebastian Tounekti and Benjamin Nygren set the stage for Araujo's late heroics.
How the match turned
Kilmarnock produced a blistering start, with Tyreece John-Jules curling the opener after Celtic backline errors put pressure on the visitors. Joe Hugill then nodded home a second, leaving Celtic with a mountain to climb at the interval.
The manager responded with a triple substitution at half-time, injecting fresh legs and intent. It was one of the substitutes, Sebastian Tounekti, who reignited Celtic's hopes with a superb 25-yard curler that ripped into the net and gave the visitors a foothold in the contest.
Eight minutes later a sustained period of pressure paid off when Araujo's long throw somehow ran through the box and fell to Benjamin Nygren, who finished from close range to make it 2-2 and notch his 16th goal of the season.
Even after the leveller, Kilmarnock fashioned the clearer chances. John-Jules — who went off with a thigh complaint — struck the crossbar with a spectacular free-kick, and a headed chance from close range flew over following a scrambled corner. At the other end, Tounekti and Callum McGregor both threatened but could not find the decisive touch in regular time.
As stoppage time stretched into its latter stages, Celtic camped in the Kilmarnock box. From a corner, chaos ensued and Araujo pounced, slamming home from inside the area in the 97th minute to spark wild celebrations among the away support and deliver a monumental three points.
Title race implications and what’s next
The win moves Celtic to within three points of the summit while holding a game in hand, keeping them very much in the title conversation. The result was made all the more crucial by late fixtures elsewhere that have shuffled the top positions.
For Kilmarnock, it is a heartbreaking outcome after they had looked comfortable for large parts of the match. Their players can take pride in a performance that threatened to derail a heavyweight opponent; fitness concerns over John-Jules will be monitored after he left the field with a thigh issue.
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill praised his squad for their fight and character after the turnaround. The victory provides momentum ahead of a packed schedule: Celtic travel for a Europa League first-leg knockout tie on Thursday at 3: 00 PM ET before returning to league action to host Hibs next Sunday at 10: 00 AM ET. Nearby contenders also have fixtures in the coming week — Hearts host Falkirk next Saturday at 10: 00 AM ET while Rangers head to Livingston the following day at 10: 00 AM ET — ensuring the title run-in remains finely poised.
Ultimately, the nervy late finish at Kilmarnock will be remembered for Araujo's composed strike and a collective belief that produced one of the most dramatic turnarounds of the season so far.
