Panathinaikos beat Heraklis 2-1 with added-time penalty, Heraklis protests refereeing

A penalty in added time

Panathinaikos beat Heraklis 2-1 at the Kaftanzoglio Stadium in Thessaloniki on 8 November, in the 10th round of the Super League. Heraklis led from the 17th minute, but Panathinaikos came back to win with a penalty converted by Davide Calabria in added time. It was their fourth straight league win and their ninth in 10 matches, according to NewsIT. The result keeps Panathinaikos top of the table, while Heraklis remain ninth and have now gone four matches without a win.

Heraklis take the lead

Panathinaikos started on the front foot, and Desers sent a shot wide from the left in the third minute after a through ball from Tetei. Heraklis lined up in a 3-4-3 formation under Walter Matzari, according to SKAI, and sat deep to close the spaces between the lines. In the 17th minute Marquez finished from close range after Vouros got ahead of his marker at a set piece and knocked the ball into the middle. Panathinaikos, coached by Nistrup, struggled to create clear chances before the break. Their best opening of the first half came in stoppage time, when Tampordha's shot went wide.

Equaliser and penalty

Panathinaikos pressed harder after the interval, with Livai Garcia coming on for Kamara and Tampordha moving alongside Luzas. Naftemporiki reports that Desers equalised at 56 minutes, which shifted the pressure onto Heraklis. The winning goal came in added time, when a handball by Heraklis defender Zoulevits in the box was reviewed by VAR. Calabria stepped up and scored from the spot in the 90+4 minute, although one outlet gives the time as 90+2.

The refereeing decisions

Referee Evangelou and VAR official Tzilos were central to several contested moments in the match. Earlier, Panathinaikos had protested for a penalty after contact between Athanasiadis and Tetei during a cross, but the VAR check allowed play to continue. Walter Matzari left the Heraklis bench before the final whistle, according to NewsIT, after his anger at the decision was visible from the touchline.

Heraklis protest

Heraklis issued an angry statement shortly after the final whistle, addressed to Stéphane Lannoy and Paolo Valeri, the heads of the Central Refereeing Committee. The club said the referees had shown an unusual lack of judgement, claiming they had ignored two clear red cards for Panathinaikos while the game was level. Heraklis asked the officials directly:

“Until when, Mr Lannoy and Mr Valeri?”

The statement argued that the result had been altered by decisions taken away from the playing field, and it demanded equal treatment for the club.

Table and next step

Panathinaikos now have 25 points and sit alone at the top of the Super League table, while Heraklis are ninth with 10 points. The league pauses for an international break after this round, so the next Super League fixtures will be played later in the season. Heraklis will need to recover from a fourth straight game without a win, which the statement suggests the club is taking very seriously.

Panathinaikos25

Heraklis10

Panathinaikos

25 points

Heraklis

10 points

Data from the article text