Celtic Will Face Benfica in Lisbon This Thursday
The Scottish side travels to Portugal to continue their European campaign following a recent league victory.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Soccer
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Celtic will play Benfica at the Stadium of Light in Lisbon this Thursday. The team seeks to build on momentum after a 2-0 win against Motherwell.
Why it matters
Celtic aims to restore pride after a disappointing start to their European campaign and a previous three-game losing streak. The squad used a recent international break to recover before returning to continental competition.
Celtic recently ended a three-game losing streak by defeating Motherwell 2-0. This follows a 3-1 home defeat to Ferencvaros and a previous 21st-place finish in last season's Europa League group stage.
The players
Celtic
Celtic is a professional football club based in Parkhead that competes in the Scottish Premiership and continental tournaments.
Benfica
Benfica is a professional football club based in Lisbon that hosts matches at the Stadium of Light.
Motherwell
Motherwell is a professional football club based in North Lanarkshire that plays in the Scottish Premiership.
The details
Following a challenging period that included losses to Ferencvaros and LASK, Celtic utilized a three-week international break to rest and prepare. The team enters this match in Lisbon looking to replicate the form that secured away victories against Feyenoord and Stuttgart last season.
Timeline
Celtic defeated Motherwell 2-0 this past Sunday.
Celtic plays Benfica in Lisbon this Thursday.
Season Trajectory
This match marks an attempt by Celtic to improve upon their 21st-place finish in the 2025-2026 Europa League group stage. Securing a result in Lisbon is critical for their standing in the current tournament structure.
Celtic enters this fixture with a healthier roster following the three-week international break. The outcome will significantly impact their ability to climb the table after failing to secure points in earlier tournament rounds.
The takeaway
Consistency is vital for European qualification as Celtic looks to improve their standing from last season. Players must leverage their recent domestic recovery to compete effectively against continental opponents.
Further reading
For more updates on international club competitions, visit Soccer.
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Does a local team's recent performance improve your sense of community pride?
