Celtic 2-2 AC Milan: Durán and Forrest Shine Before Second Half Fightback
Celtic produced a thrilling display on 25 July 2026 as they drew 2-2 with AC Milan in a pre-season friendly. The Hoops showed outstanding attacking energy during a brilliant first half, building a two goal lead before the Italian side fought back after the break. It was an entertaining contest that gave Celtic fans plenty of encouragement as the new season gets closer.
Hoops Fire Two Early Goals
Celtic began the match with great tempo and took command of the pitch against top European opponents. Camilo Durán opened the scoring for Celtic in the 11th minute to give the Hoops a well earned lead. Durán found space inside the penalty box and finished cleanly to make it 1-0 to Celtic.
The opening goal lifted the home fans and gave Celtic great momentum across the pitch. The team kept pressing high and moved the ball with fast passing. In the 28th minute, Camilo Durán turned provider when he set up his teammate with a precise assist. Durán picked out the run perfectly and played the ball into the path of James Forrest.
James Forrest made no mistake in the 28th minute, turning the ball into the net to double Celtic's lead to 2-0. With Daizen Maeda having completed a move to Ipswich Town, seeing Forrest deliver such a sharp finish on the wing was a huge positive for Celtic. Forrest showed great composure in front of goal to put the Hoops two goals clear before half time.
The first half performance demonstrated Celtic's quality in attack against high level defenders. Durán and Forrest combined brilliantly to split the AC Milan defence twice within the opening half hour. Celtic went into the interval with a convincing two goal advantage after an impressive opening forty five minutes.
Milan Strike Back After Break
AC Milan reorganised at the interval and stepped onto the pitch with far more aggression in the second half. The visitors pressed Celtic high up the field straight from the whistle and created immediate pressure. In the 47th minute, Cameron Carter-Vickers brought down Francesco Camarda inside the penalty area as AC Milan attacked the box.
The referee pointed to the spot after the foul by Carter-Vickers. Francesco Camarda stepped up to take the penalty in the 47th minute and converted it past the goalkeeper to reduce Celtic's lead to 2-1.
That early second half strike gave the Italian side fresh energy, and they continued to push Celtic deeper into their own half. Just five minutes later, AC Milan put together another dangerous attack down the wing. In the 52nd minute, Samuel Chukwueze delivered a well weighted cross into the Celtic penalty area.
Francesco Camarda rose above his markers to meet the delivery from Chukwueze. Camarda scored an equalising header for AC Milan in the 52nd minute to level the match at 2-2. The visitors had managed to erase Celtic's hard earned two goal cushion in a brief seven minute spell after the break.
The quick double from AC Milan shifted the flow of the friendly. Celtic adjusted their shape to stay compact and disciplined as the Italian side searched for a third goal in the warm pre-season weather.
Eyes Turn To Premiership Opener
Despite letting the two goal lead slip, Celtic can take plenty of positive lessons from the 2-2 draw on 25 July 2026. The attacking combination between Camilo Durán and James Forrest offered real promise, especially with Daizen Maeda no longer in the squad following his transfer to Ipswich Town. Durán provided both a goal and an assist, while Forrest showed his goalscoring ability with another clinical finish.
The pre-season match served as valuable preparation against a top European side before competitive fixtures begin. Defender Cameron Carter-Vickers and the backline faced a tough test against Francesco Camarda and Samuel Chukwueze during the second half comeback, highlighting key areas to sharpen up before the league campaign kicks off.
Celtic now complete their pre-season programme and shift their focus to competitive action. Celtic play Dundee in their Scottish Premiership opener on 3 August. The Hoops will aim to carry their sharp first half attacking play into that league encounter and begin their domestic campaign with a strong performance.