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Tengrinews.kz – Almaty’s FC Kairat secured a historic place in the Champions League group stage after defeating Scottish side Celtic in a penalty shootout. The victory sparked a wave of emotions across Kazakhstan – from wild street celebrations to heated online debates and a flood of memes.
In Almaty, fans poured into the streets to celebrate the win. Drivers honked their horns, people sang and shouted, and traffic was briefly blocked as the city turned into one big party.
“Cars are honking, people are cheering – it’s not a wedding, it’s Kairat in the Champions League,” wrote one user.
@imual01 Если слышишь сигналки по городу – знай, Қайрат сделал историю! 📣⚽ #kairat#лч#сотворилиисторию#селтикқайрат#қайратчемпион ♬ UEFA Champions League Legacy Anthem - UEFA & Tony Britten
Not everyone, however, was happy. Some residents complained that the noise lasted well into the night, disturbing sleep before the workday. Still, many commentators asked for understanding, comparing the event to New Year’s Eve in terms of importance for football fans.
Support for Kairat wasn’t limited to the Central Stadium. Videos showed wedding guests, waiters and staff huddled around screens during a toi (Kazakh celebration), cheering together as the match unfolded.
@daniyarbukharshin Бұл тарихи сәт🤩🤩🔥🔥🔥. #қайрат #чемпион #лч ♬ original sound - daniyarbukharshin
For many, the standout player was goalkeeper Temirlan Anarbekov, who saved three penalties against Celtic. His Instagram account exploded overnight, jumping from 10,000 to 50,000 followers. Alongside football praise, fans joked about his rising star status, with some women openly wondering if the new sports hero’s heart was still free.
Kazakh social media lit up with memes and humorous posts, including a tongue-in-cheek skit imagining Cristiano Ronaldo commenting on Kairat’s triumph.
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The debates now shift to where Kairat should play its Champions League matches – Almaty or Astana – as discussions and jokes continue to dominate online spaces. Beyond the celebrations, the win also brings serious financial rewards: Kairat is guaranteed at least €18.6 million in prize money, plus additional bonuses of €2.1 million for each group-stage win and €750,000 for each draw.
‘Didn’t deserve it!’: Scottish fans react to Kairat’s Champions League win
