Celtic were condemned to another season in the Europa League courtesy of a 2-0 defeat to Malmo in the second leg of their Champions League playoff this evening.
The Scottish champions went into the match with a 3-2 lead after last week's first leg, but they found themselves behind on away goals midway through the first half when Markus Rosenberg nodded home.
Celtic then had a goal controversially disallowed on the stroke of half time, before Felipe Carvalho's header was turned into his own net by Dedryck Boyata to seal a 4-3 aggregate victory for the hosts.
Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at whether Malmo deserved to progress into the group stages of Europe's premier club competition.
Match statistics
MALMO
Shots: 18
On target: 6
Possession: 34%
Corners: 7
Fouls: 14
CELTIC
Shots: 8
On target: 2
Possession: 66%
Corners: 5
Fouls: 14
Was the result fair?
First things first, this was a thoroughly entertaining match for the neutral. There was a bite about the game that made it a gripping contest between two sets of players unwilling to give an inch. In terms of desire, commitment and hunger, neither manager can have any complaints with their side this evening. It was a full-blooded affair with no quarter being given or asked from either side and, after a war of words in the build-up, it felt that there was genuine animosity between the teams at times.
For all of their effort, though, Celtic can't have too many complaints at losing tonight. They can point to a shocking decision to disallow Nir Bitton's goal right on the stroke of half time that may well have changed the course of the tie, but in truth they simply did not do enough to progress this evening. The fact that they dominated possession but managed 10 fewer shots than their hosts and only got two of their eight attempts on target speaks volumes, while at the other end Craig Gordon was forced into two world-class saves to keep his side in touch.
We will never know if Malmo would have played with such belief had they not scored a second away goal in the 95th minute of the first leg, but they deserved the victory on the night and, ultimately, the 2-0 scoreline means that they would have won with or without that late goal. Celtic could have had the first leg - perhaps even the tie - wrapped up inside 15 minutes at Parkhead, but they allowed Malmo back into it and have been duly punished. Malmo are worthy winners tonight, and just about deserve to sneak through over the full 180 minutes too.
Malmo's performance
The Swedish champions were very slow out of the blocks in Glasgow six days ago, but there was no such problem tonight. They began the match at a really good tempo and did not relent until the final whistle. They fiercely contested every single ball and, cheered on by a raucous crowd, put in an inspirational and stirring performance in front of their own fans. Every single player worked his socks off for the team, with Rosenberg and Jo Inge Berget particularly impressive.
Defensively, they were shaky at times and a better team would have punished them far more often than Celtic managed, which will be a worry ahead of the Champions League group stages. However, at the other end of the field they looked dangerous almost every time they came forward and probably should have scored more than the two they managed on the night. Gordon in the Celtic goal made two truly stunning stops, while the likes of Rosenberg, Berget and Nikola Djurdjic also came close.
Their late goal in the first leg should not be underestimated as, without it, they would have entered this match as much bigger underdogs, which may have lessened the intensity of both the players and the crowd. They have now reaped the rewards of that never-say-die attitude, and this performance may get one or two teams to take notice in the group stages. It would be a huge shock if they were to challenge for the knockout rounds, but if they play with this sort of passion in every game then they could surprise a few teams.
Celtic's performance
While that late Malmo goal may have boosted the Swedes, it probably had more of a negative impact on Celtic than it had a positive effect on their opponents. A 3-1 lead would have been much more comfortable for Ronny Deila's side, and they would have arrived in Malmo with a very clear goal - simply don't concede twice. As it was, Celtic seemed to think that it was too dangerous to defend a one-goal advantage from the off, and as a result they went in search of another themselves in a frenetic opening period.
Questions must be raised over whether it was wise to get drawn into such an open game when they were in control of the scoreline, but the uncertain nature of the Malmo defence gave Celtic enough encouragement to keep pushing forward. James Forrest, Leigh Griffiths and Charlie Mulgrew all had sights of goal along the way, while things may well have been different had Bitton's goal been allowed to stand. However, even one goal wouldn't have been enough in the end and, in truth, Celtic very rarely looked like finding the back of the net despite their possession.
Deila seemed to wait too long before going all-out attack, finally throwing Virgil van Dijk up front with just one minute of normal time remaining and his side in need of two goals. He did bring on Nadir Ciftci for Bitton in the second half, but that was as much to prevent the midfielder from getting a red card as it was to take the game to Malmo. The late siege on Johan Wiland's goal never really arrived, and ultimately a lack of quality in the final third has cost them a place in the Champions League group stages and the riches that go with it.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Markus Rosenberg: Berget deserves a mention in this category, but the returning Rosenberg demonstrated exactly what Malmo were missing last week. He led the line brilliantly, getting involved in the physical battle with Van Dijk and Boyata, as well as chasing everything that came his way. His energy lifted the rest of his side, and he led by example throughout to inspire the hosts. He also got his name on the scoresheet, and probably should have had a couple more too.
Biggest gaffe
This is not a hard one. The officials had a major say on this match and the referee's decision to disallow Bitton's goal was a shocker. Whether Milorad Mazic made the decision for a foul on the keeper or a handball against Celtic, both were wrong. Wiland was nowhere near the ball and Griffiths did nothing wrong while the keeper claimed that he was impeded, and it was Kari Arnason who handled the ball just before Bitton could nod it home.
The Celtic man still put the rebound in, and at that point the referee should have had two choices. He could have sent Arnason off and awarded a penalty, or he could have played advantage and given Celtic the equaliser. Instead, though, he awarded a free kick to Malmo, leaving Celtic feeling robbed.
Referee performance
Mazic had an absolute stinker this evening. It was not the easiest game to referee for the Serbian, but at this level he simply has to do better. The above decision was a howler and may have not only cost Celtic the tie, but also millions of pounds in prize money. He also should have sent Bitton off in the second half after the Celtic midfielder made two cynical challengers shortly after already being booked.
Griffiths was perhaps a little lucky not to be dismissed too following an altercation with Anton Tinnerholm, and the referee was inconsistent when dishing out the cards throughout, eventually showing no fewer than 10 yellows. An evening to forget for him.
What next?
Malmo: Malmo will be looking forward to Thursday's group-stage draw before trying to keep their slim title hopes alive away to Age Hareide's former club Helsingborg on Sunday.
Celtic: Celtic, meanwhile, will aim to keep their unbeaten start to the domestic season going when they host St Johnstone on Saturday.
Barney Corkhill
