Celtic into final after edging Aberdeen in epic tie

2 years ago 49

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By Amy CanavanBBC Scotland

Last updated on 9 minutes ago.From the section Scottish Cup

Celtic eventually prevailed on penalties after a six-goal Hampden classic as the holders progressed to their 60th Scottish Cup final and left Aberdeen heartbroken.

In a high-quality shootout, Joe Hart had the chance to win it with the penalty for Celtic, after Ryan Duncan's effort hit the post, but the goalkeeper too struck the woodwork.

However, Hart made amends by saving Killian Phillips' effort and Celtic will now face either Hearts or Rangers next month as they look to lift the oldest trophy in football for a record-extending 42nd time.

The incredible finale was befitting of an epic tie in which Aberdeen twice scored last-gasp levellers.

Angus MacDonald's 119th-minute header appeared to have completed a remarkable redemption arc after the stand-in captain's howler gifted Celtic's equaliser to Nicolas Kuhn in the first half.

Aberdeen - led by interim manager Peter Leven - had taken a surprise lead after two minutes as Bojan Miovski capitalised on a sleeping defence before curling a scorcher around Joe Hart.

Celtic were much improved in the second half and substitute James Forrest thought his curled finish had booked their spot in the final in normal time, but Ester Sokler's dramatic header in the 90th minute forced extra time.

Matt O'Riley's composed rocket restored Celtic's lead but there was plenty more drama to come before the astonishing tie was finally settled and Brendan Rodgers' unbeaten Hampden record continued.

More to follow.

Line-ups

Aberdeen

Formation 4-2-3-1

24Roos
2DevlinSubstituted forMilneat 79'minutes
6Gartenmann
27MacDonaldBooked at 120mins
3MacKenzie
8BarronSubstituted forDuncanat 105'minutes
21PolvaraSubstituted forSoklerat 79'minutesBooked at 90mins
11Henriques de Barros LopesSubstituted forHoilettat 69'minutes
10ClarksonSubstituted forPhillipsat 86'minutes
7McGrathBooked at 120mins
9MiovskiSubstituted forMorrisat 100'minutesBooked at 120mins

Substitutes

5Jensen
18Phillips
19Sokler
20Morris
23Duncan
28Milne
30Hoilett
31Doohan
33Rubezic

Celtic

Formation 4-3-3

1Hart
2Johnston
20Carter-Vickers
5Scales
3Taylor
33O'Riley
42McGregorSubstituted forIwataat 62'minutes
41HatateSubstituted forGonçalves Bernardoat 86'minutes
10KühnBooked at 64minsSubstituted forPalmaat 86'minutes
8FuruhashiSubstituted forIdahat 70'minutes
13YangSubstituted forForrestat 62'minutesSubstituted forNawrockiat 119'minutes

Substitutes

7Palma
9Idah
17Nawrocki
24Iwata
28Gonçalves Bernardo
29Bain
48Kelly
49Forrest
56Ralston

Referee:Don Robertson

Attendance:45,385

Live Text

Match ends, Aberdeen 3(5), Celtic 3(6).
Penalty Shootout ends, Aberdeen 3(5), Celtic 3(6).
Penalty saved. Killian Phillips (Aberdeen) right footed shot saved in the bottom right corner.
Goal! Aberdeen 3(5), Celtic 3(6). Tomoki Iwata (Celtic) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.
Goal! Aberdeen 3(5), Celtic 3(5). Jack Milne (Aberdeen) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
Goal! Aberdeen 3(4), Celtic 3(5). Alistair Johnston (Celtic) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
Goal! Aberdeen 3(4), Celtic 3(4). Junior Hoilett (Aberdeen) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
Penalty missed! Still Aberdeen 3(3), Celtic 3(4). Joe Hart (Celtic) hits the left post with a right footed shot.
Penalty missed! Still Aberdeen 3(3), Celtic 3(4). Ryan Duncan (Aberdeen) hits the right post with a left footed shot.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Kelle Roos (Aberdeen).
Goal! Aberdeen 3(3), Celtic 3(4). Paulo Bernardo (Celtic) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
Goal! Aberdeen 3(3), Celtic 3(3). Ester Sokler (Aberdeen) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the centre of the goal.
Goal! Aberdeen 3(2), Celtic 3(3). Matt O'Riley (Celtic) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the bottom left corner.
Goal! Aberdeen 3(2), Celtic 3(2). Angus MacDonald (Aberdeen) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
Goal! Aberdeen 3(1), Celtic 3(2). Luis Palma (Celtic) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.
Goal! Aberdeen 3(1), Celtic 3(1). Jamie McGrath (Aberdeen) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
Goal! Aberdeen 3, Celtic 3(1). Adam Idah (Celtic) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
Penalty Shootout begins Aberdeen 3, Celtic 3.
Second Half Extra Time ends, Aberdeen 3, Celtic 3.