Panathinaikos delivered another famous European night for its faithful supporters as the “Trifylli” scored a narrow victory over Real Betis despite falling down to ten men, securing a crucial advantage as they strive to make the Europa League quarter-finals.
The Greens downed the Seville club 1-0 at the Olympic Stadium on Friday morning in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie, with Vicente Taborda’s 88th minute penalty goal proving the difference.
While Taborda scored the winning goal, it was the team performance that spurred the “Trifylli” to victory as their decision to enforce a compact defence guided them to victory.
The match did not go smoothly for the hosts, who were forced to play the majority of the second half with ten players after Anass Zaroury received a second yellow card in the 59th minute.
The red card seemed like it would prove the downfall of the Greens, though they responded well and eventually levelled the playing field in the 86th minute when a VAR check ruled Diego Llorente had fouled Karol Swiderski in the box.
EK’s Mijat Gacinovic (C) celebrates with teammates after scopring the 0-3 lead during the UEFA Conference League Round of 16 1st leg match NK Celje against AEK Athens, in Celje, Slovenia, 12 March 2026. Photo: AAP via EPA/ANTONIO BAT
The Spanish defender earned himself his own second booking, while Panathinaikos won a penalty which Taborda took and buried down the middle of the net (88′).
Panathinaikos’ feat gives them a vital advantage ahead of next week’s second leg in Spain, with the Greens now well-positioned to make the final eight.
Rafa Benitez gave all the praise to his players for their display, with the Panathinaikos coach emphasising the significance of the win for the club.
“The players certainly deserve a lot of praise for their excellent and hard work against a very difficult opponent, and they made us proud,” Benitez told media post-match.
“They did very well and this is important for our fans and for the European history of the club.”
He remarked they had to pivot mid-game from their initial plan of holding possession as a result of Betis’ play.
“We had to switch to plan B, to have a good defensive function and look for counterattacks. In the end, that’s what worked for us.”
The Spaniard stressed that the victory was vital, though the most significant battle lies in front of them.
“The next game is the key. It’s the most important match now. What happened today has its own importance, but now we have to focus on the second leg and do our best to qualify.”
AEK has all but ensured their quarter-finals spot in the UEFA Conference League after beating NK Celje 4-0 away in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie.
Enosi stormed into a three-goal lead by half time through Barnabas Varga (3′), Aboubakary Koita (33′) and Mijat Gacinovic (36′), with Harold Moukoudi adding in a fourth shortly into the second period (49′).
AEK Larnaca held strong to score a goalless draw away to Crystal Palace, giving them a fighting chance to eliminate the Premier League side in the return leg in Cyprus.
