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.
The pre-match chat was dictated by how Aberdeen would stop Celtic. Don’t allow the league leaders to control. Don’t allow them to score early. Aberdeen did that, and gave them a taste of their medicine.
Leighton Clarkson, deployed slightly higher in the Aberdeen attack, wiped the sleeping Celtic defence out in one delicious attack, and Miovski curled the ball around Hart to shock the green and white hordes in the Hampden sun.
Kyogo stung Kelle Roos’ palms in response before the calamitous equaliser came.
Much was made of captain Graeme Shinnie’s absence, with MacDonald donning the armband in his place. There was no calmness on show when the ball got stuck beneath his feet and Kyogo robbed it.
Stefan Gartenmann slid in to deny the Japan international a shot of his own, but it acted as the perfect lay-off for Kuhn to roll into an unguarded net.
Gartenmann was one brilliant block away from restoring Aberdeen’s lead as Clarkson’s free-kick deceived all and was met by the Dane at the back post, but Hart rushed out to save.
In a stop-start first half, VAR mulled over a Liam Scales handball, but judged the incident to be outside of the box.
There was a feeling Celtic would not be so far off it after the break, and indeed, they looked much more menacing.
Despite only being on the pitch a matter of moments, Forrest sent a powerful warning shot before his precise goal tucked into the bottom corner beneath Roos.
It seemed that goal would prove the difference as Celtic were in cruise control, but Aberdeen’s substitutes prompted a late rally.
Junior Hoilett fluffed his lines on a frantic counterattack before Cameron Carter-Vickers incredibly denied him with a goalline block.
But the Canada international got his angles all right to tee up Sokler in the 89th minute for just his third goal in red to send the tie into extra time.
O’Riley had been quiet by the high standards he’s set this season, but when presented with a moment to shine, he slammed in a composed rocket.
Aberdeen once more believed they had a shot at restoring parity when Hoilett hit the deck in the box and referee Don Robertson pointed to the spot. After mass confusion, it wasn’t awarded as VAR spotted a foul in the build-up on Alistair Johnston.
But Aberdeen were not down and out, yet. MacDonald towered at a crowded back post to head down deep in extra time and force penalties.
It proved to be a stretch to far, though. On-loan Crystal Palace midfielder, Phillips, was the unfortunate player to miss at the crucial moment, but it is a shootout that will be dominated by Hart’s confidence and ultimate contribution.
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.
