The Scottish Cup final always feels different. Even before kick-off at Hampden Park, there was that proper cup final atmosphere around the place. Green and white scarves everywhere, Dunfermline fans making as much noise as they could, the sun out over Glasgow, and that feeling that maybe — just maybe — football might give us a shock.
But by full time, it was another trophy for Celtic F.C.
A 3-1 win over Dunfermline Athletic F.C. sealed Celtic’s 43rd Scottish Cup and wrapped up another domestic double. Dunfermline had their moments and their fans backed them all afternoon, but over 90 minutes Celtic just had too much quality, too much movement, and too much experience.
Match Facts
- Competition: 2026 Scottish Cup Final
- Venue: Hampden Park
- Final Score: Celtic F.C. 3-1 Dunfermline Athletic F.C.
- Attendance: 51,000+
- Celtic Goals: Daizen Maeda (18’), Arne Engels (35’), Kelechi Iheanacho (72’)
- Dunfermline Goal: Josh Cooper (79’)
- Yellow Cards: Charlie Gilmour, Auston Trusty
- Competition Win: Celtic’s 43rd Scottish Cup title
- Manager: Martin O’Neill
- Man of the Match: Arne Engels
The 2026 Scottish Cup final never really felt out of Celtic’s control, but that does not mean it was comfortable all afternoon. Dunfermline came into Hampden as massive underdogs and spent long periods without the ball, yet they still managed to make the game physical, frustrating, and occasionally tense before Celtic’s quality eventually pulled them clear.
By full time, Celtic F.C. had secured a 3-1 victory and another Scottish Cup title. It was a performance built on quick movement, strong midfield control, and clinical finishing at the key moments of the match.
For Dunfermline Athletic F.C., the result was disappointing but their supporters still had moments to celebrate after a cup run that few expected to reach this stage.
Before Kick-Off
There was a clear difference in expectation between the two sides before the match even started.
Celtic arrived at Hampden expected to win. Their squad depth, attacking options, and experience in major finals gave them a huge advantage on paper. Winning the Scottish Cup would also complete another domestic double and help bring some stability to a season that had still faced criticism despite league success.
Dunfermline’s story was completely different. Managed by former Celtic boss Neil Lennon, they were appearing in their first Scottish Cup final since 2007 and had already exceeded expectations just by reaching Hampden. Their route to the final had included difficult matches against Premiership opposition, and their support travelled through believing they could at least make Celtic uncomfortable.
Inside Hampden, the atmosphere reflected that contrast. The Celtic support expected silverware. The Dunfermline support were hoping for history.
Celtic Control The Opening Stages
The first 15 minutes were mostly played in Dunfermline’s half.
Celtic pressed aggressively from the beginning, especially through the front three. Whenever Dunfermline attempted to play out from the back, Celtic closed space quickly and forced rushed clearances. The midfield battle also immediately leaned in Celtic’s favour as they controlled possession and dictated the pace of the game.
Dunfermline initially defended with a compact shape and tried to stay narrow centrally, but Celtic’s movement out wide constantly stretched that structure. The rotations between midfield and attack caused problems early on, particularly down the left side.
The opening goal arrived in the 18th minute.
A quick attacking move pulled Dunfermline’s back line out of position before the ball eventually fell to Daizen Maeda inside the area. Maeda reacted quickly and finished low past the goalkeeper to make it 1-0.
The goal reflected the overall pattern of the opening stages. Celtic had already forced Dunfermline deeper and deeper inside their own half, and eventually the pressure told.
Maeda remained one of Celtic’s biggest threats throughout the match. His movement without the ball repeatedly dragged defenders into uncomfortable positions and created space for runners behind him.
Engels Gives Celtic Breathing Room
After taking the lead, Celtic did not slow the game down. They continued moving the ball quickly through midfield and looked dangerous whenever they attacked directly.
Dunfermline attempted to press slightly higher after going behind, but doing so created larger spaces between midfield and defence. Celtic took advantage of that repeatedly.
The second goal came in the 35th minute and was probably the best finish of the afternoon.
Arne Engels found space outside the box before striking a powerful effort into the net to make it 2-0. It was a technically excellent finish and gave Celtic full control of the final before halftime.
Engels was one of Celtic’s best players across the full 90 minutes. He consistently found pockets of space between Dunfermline’s midfield and defence, progressed the ball well, and supported attacks intelligently. Whenever Celtic broke forward, he was usually involved somewhere in the move.
Dunfermline struggled physically during the final part of the first half. Their attempts to close Celtic down became more aggressive and that frustration eventually showed when Charlie Gilmour received a yellow card after arriving late into a challenge.
At halftime, Celtic deserved their lead. They had controlled possession, created the clearer chances, and looked significantly more comfortable in possession.
Dunfermline Improve After The Break
Despite being two goals behind, Dunfermline actually started the second half reasonably well.
They pushed further up the pitch, competed more aggressively in midfield, and tried to disrupt Celtic’s passing rhythm. The game became more physical and far less controlled compared to the opening 45 minutes.
For a short period, Celtic struggled to progress the ball as easily as they had before halftime.
Dunfermline’s improvement also forced Celtic into defensive fouls during transitions. One of those moments saw Auston Trusty booked after stopping a dangerous counter attack.
The match briefly became scrappy. There were more second balls, more tackles, and longer spells where neither side fully controlled possession.
Still, despite Dunfermline’s improvement, clear chances remained limited.
Celtic’s back line dealt relatively comfortably with crosses into the box and rarely allowed Dunfermline enough space centrally to create major opportunities. Most of Dunfermline’s positive moments came from pressing mistakes or forcing rushed passes rather than sustained attacking play.
Iheanacho Ends The Contest
Dunfermline’s best spell of the game ended once Celtic scored the third goal.
In the 72nd minute, Kelechi Iheanacho timed his run perfectly behind the defence before finishing calmly to make it 3-0.
The goal effectively ended the contest.
Celtic became more relaxed after that point and began controlling possession again far more comfortably. Dunfermline’s energy levels also noticeably dropped after spending so much effort trying to stay in the game during the opening part of the second half.
Iheanacho’s contribution highlighted the difference in squad quality between the sides. Celtic were able to bring fresh attacking quality into the match while Dunfermline were already beginning to tire physically.
Dunfermline Get Their Goal
To their credit, Dunfermline continued attacking despite the scoreline.
They were eventually rewarded in the 79th minute when Josh Cooper scored after a well worked move forward. Cooper stayed composed inside the area and finished confidently past the goalkeeper to reduce the score to 3-1.
The reaction from the Dunfermline support was easily one of the loudest moments of the afternoon from their end of Hampden.
While the result itself was already beyond reach, the goal mattered because it reflected the effort Dunfermline continued showing throughout the match. Even after falling three goals behind against stronger opposition, they continued pressing forward and trying to create opportunities.
For the final few minutes, Dunfermline briefly carried some momentum again, but Celtic managed the closing stages professionally and prevented any real chance of a late comeback.
Full-Time
When the final whistle arrived, the result ultimately reflected the difference between the two sides.
Celtic were sharper in possession, more dangerous going forward, and far more clinical in front of goal. Their control of midfield across most of the match allowed them to dictate the tempo, while their attacking quality consistently stretched Dunfermline’s defensive structure.
The performances from Maeda, Engels, and Iheanacho gave Celtic the edge in decisive moments, while experienced players like Callum McGregor helped manage the game once Celtic moved ahead.
For Dunfermline, there was disappointment but also recognition of what reaching the final represented. They competed well for periods, improved significantly after halftime, and continued fighting even once the game became difficult.
Celtic lifted the Scottish Cup once again, and over the course of the 90 minutes there was little argument that they deserved it.
For more on the final go to the BBC Sport.
Final Thoughts
When the final whistle went, it felt familiar.
Celtic players celebrating at Hampden has become one of the most common sights in Scottish football over the last two decades, and this was another chapter added to that history.
Captain Callum McGregor lifting the trophy under the sunshine was the perfect image to end the season. Celtic had their difficult moments during the campaign, but winning both the league and Scottish Cup means very few fans will care much about that now.
For Dunfermline, there was disappointment of course, but also pride.
Getting to Hampden, taking thousands of fans through to Glasgow, and reaching a Scottish Cup final again after so many years is something their supporters will remember for a long time. They were underdogs from the beginning and they still walked away with credit.
Celtic won because they were the better side. Simple as that.
But finals are about memories too, and both sets of supporters will leave Hampden remembering this one for very different reasons.
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