AEK comes from behind to beat Levadiakos 2-1 after a disputed VAR penalty

Levadiakos lead, then an AEK comeback

AEK Athens beat Levadiakos 2-1 in the 10th matchday of the Super League on 8 November 2026, at the Allwyn Arena in Nea Filadelfeia. Levadiakos struck first in the 26th minute, when Kompnan finished a quick move that started with a pass from Pantea. AEK controlled much of the opening half but could not turn its pressure into goals. An 11th-minute header by Varga was ruled out for offside, and Jović sent a clear chance in the 22nd minute wide. Levadiakos held its shape and went into the interval 1-0 ahead.

The penalty and the VAR review

After the restart, AEK kept pushing. In the 50th minute Jović scored from the penalty spot to make it 1-1. One match report says the spot-kick followed a Levadiakos player falling in the box after a challenge by Marin, and that the referee had first signalled no infringement before VAR official Koumparakis called him to the monitor. Four minutes after the penalty, Varga headed AEK ahead for the 2-1 scoreline that stood at full time.

Levadiakos coach Ilias Charalambous was angry at the decision. He praised his players for their performance and then turned to the officiating.

“We know we are the smaller team, but every match must be played 50-50.”

Charalambous described the spot-kick as a hand of support and said the referee could at least have gone to the monitor. He added that his players had told him the official could have checked the incident on the other side of the pitch, where he felt his own side had a claim for a penalty late in the match.

“The penalty that was given to AEK was a hand of support.”

Red card and the closing minutes

Marin was sent off in the 80th minute, leaving AEK with ten players for the closing stretch. Levadiakos kept pressing, but AEK held the advantage until the final whistle. Match reports described the win as coming in the face of a sustained Levadiakos effort, and AEK's coach Marko Nikolić used a 4-4-2 formation for the side.

The result gave AEK its fifth win from five home games in the league this season, its best start at the Allwyn Arena according to Naftemporiki. It also ended a run of consecutive defeats in Greece and Europe, according to in.gr. Charalambous said his players deserved more from the afternoon, while AEK's supporters were left with a ten-man win built on a second-half turnaround.