Celtic produced a shock 1-0 victory at the MHPArena thanks to Luke McCowan's strike after just 28 seconds, but a much-changed side from Martin O'Neill could not overturn last week's 4-1 first-leg defeat and exited the Europa League 4-2 on aggregate. Stuttgart, fourth in the Bundesliga and essentially sure of progression before kick-off, were left to absorb a rare home reverse despite 24 attempts at goal.
McCowan's goal was the fastest in the Europa League since September 2016, and the earliest Stuttgart have ever conceded in a major European tie. It was enough, on a night of Celtic discipline and goalkeeping defiance from debutant Viljami Sinisalo, to deliver the Scottish champions their first competitive win on German soil at the 17th attempt.
Lightning Start at the MHPArena
The goal arrived almost from kick-off. Callum McGregor fed Yang Hyun-jun, who slipped in Junior Adamu, and the striker's pinpoint cross was met first time on the left foot by McCowan, giving Alexander Nübel no chance. "I got carried away with myself," O'Neill admitted afterwards. "I thought we are going to do this here."