Panathinaikos controls the early stages

Panathinaikos beat Asteras Tripolis 5-1 at the OAKA in Athens on 18 October 2026 in matchday 7 of the Super League, returning to winning ways after a derby defeat to Olympiacos. Coach Jacob Nistrup's side pressed high from the first whistle and attacked mainly down the right, where Livai Garcia and Kanga caused trouble for the Asteras defence. Kanga had two efforts in the opening ten minutes, and neither found the target. Asteras's best early chance came around the 16th minute, when Mendes fired wide from a good position. Panathinaikos kept control even after Azentin Ounai went off injured early in the first half, with Andreas Tettei coming on and the team shifting to a 4-4-2.

Five scorers and a goal checked by VAR

De Frai opened the scoring in the 27th minute, heading in from a Kanga corner. Louza doubled the lead in the 31st minute with a left-foot strike, his first goal in the green shirt. Asteras pulled one back in the 60th minute through Papakanellos, who finished well after getting into the box. Two minutes later Louza played a through ball to Dessers, whose goal was first ruled offside before VAR confirmed he was onside. Kalabria made it 4-1 in the 72nd minute, and Tettei completed the scoring with a header in the 83rd minute from a Louza cross.

Tribute and injuries

Before the match the club remembered Giorgos Vardinogiannis, and both teams played with black armbands. Louza was named MVP by in.gr, which credited him with a goal, two assists and the organisation of Panathinaikos's build-up play. Referee Angelos Evangelou, from the Athens association, kept a low profile and whistled as little as possible. The injury list was a concern: Ounai left the pitch on a stretcher, and Yagousits also came off injured in the closing stages. iefimerida reported that the club is anxious over Ounai's condition.

Table position and next fixtures

Panathinaikos leads the Super League on 18 points, two ahead of second-placed Olympiacos, according to iefimerida. Asteras sits 11th with five points. The Athens side's next match is in the Conference League, away to Kairat in Kazakhstan on 22 October. Asteras host Levadiakos on Saturday 24 October, and Panathinaikos travels to face NPS Volos at the Panthessaliko Stadium on Sunday 25 October.