SCOTTISH champion Celtic, Portuguese champion FC Porto, Istanbul Basaksehir and FC Basel have had their journey in Europe’s elite Champions League terminated during the qualifying rounds Tuesday.

Porto, the 2004 winner, found its 1-0 first leg lead wiped out as Russian side Krasnodar scored three times in 33 minutes to take control of the tie before running out the 3-2 winner to go through on the away goals rule.

Portugal’s two-time kings of Europe pulled level 3-3 on aggregate in the second half through Ze Luis and Luis Diaz, but could not find the winner despite having 25 shots.

It was the first time in 10 years that the side failed to reach the group stages, losing to a side founded just in 2008.

Celtic was also knocked out of the Champions League during the third qualifying round, while last season’s semifinalists Ajax needed a late comeback to edge past Greek side PAOK.

Following on from Celtic’s 1-1 draw away to CFR Cluj last week, Neil Lennon’s Bhoys suffered the worst possible start as Ciprian Deac broke the deadlock in Glasgow.

The Scottish champion from Glasgow was sent into the Europa League playoff round 5-4 on aggregate after losing a thrilling encounter 4-3 at Celtic Park.

James Forrest and Odsonne Edouard were able to hit back and put Celtic back in the driving seat, but Billel Omrani scored either side of Ryan Christie’s effort to give Cluj the advantage, while substitute George Tucudean rounded off the scoring in added time to dump the Scottish champion out of the Champions League.

Istanbul Basaksehir players couldn’t convert any of their 11 shots on goal in Greece as Olympiacos scored twice to register a 3-0 aggregate win, while Basel collapsed on the road to Austrian side LASK.

In Amsterdam, Ajax beat PAOK Thessaloniki 3-2 in a tense encounter to go through 5-3 on aggregate.

Two Dusan Tadic penalties, the second five minutes from time, and Nicolas Tagliafico’s late header kept Erik ten Hag’s side alive with a chance to relive the dream of last season, when they seduced Europe with a thrilling run to the last four.

Serb Tadic, who had already missed once from the spot for Ajax, slotted home the equalizer two minutes before the break after Diego Biseswar had silenced the Johan Cruyff Arena with a fine strike for PAOK midway through the half.

Tagliafico left the Greeks needing to score twice when he met Ziyech’s 79th-minute corner with a powerful header, and shortly after Tadic sealed a playoff clash against APOEL Nicosia, despite Biseswar scoring a second in stoppage time.

APOEL will face the Dutch giants for a place in the group stage, which begins next month, after overturning a 2-1 deficit from the first leg with a 2-0 win at Qarabag thanks to goals from Tomas De Vincenti and Urosh Matich.  (SD-Agencies)