PAOK beats AEK 3-1 in Toumba, bouncing back from Ofi defeat in Greek Cup

Opening goal and equaliser

PAOK took the lead in the 8th minute. Kenny crossed from the right and Banza rose above the AEK defence to head the ball into the net. Both coaches set up in a 4-4-2. Alessio Lisi made several changes for PAOK, while Marko Nikolić started Balamotis in goal for AEK.

AEK pushed back in the first half without finding the equaliser. Giovitch headed wide in the 13th minute, and Maier's long shot in the 23rd minute was pushed away by Monastirlis. Early in the second half, Marin played a vertical pass that sent Giovitch one-on-one with Monastirlis, and he levelled the score at 1-1.

Penalty reversed and chances before the break

Referee Evangelou first pointed to the spot for a handball by Vida in the 27th minute. After a VAR review, he changed the decision because Vida's arm was close to his body. Ntiagé also had a chance to make it 2-0 in the first half, but Balamotis made a strong save from close range in the 43rd minute, and PAOK went into the break leading 1-0.

Second half turned around

AEK came out with more intent after the break. Zini hit the crossbar in the 59th minute after beating Hatzidiakos, and Pilios failed to beat Monastirlis from a good position in the 53rd minute. Vida's shot in the 67th minute went just wide of the angle of post and bar.

PAOK then struck on the counter. The 70th-minute goal came after a quick move and a ball played back to a young striker, who finished with an accurate shot to make it 2-1. Ntiagé added the third in the 79th minute with a powerful effort from outside the box, and Balamotis denied Mythos late on so the score stayed 3-1.

What the result means

The win came after PAOK lost to Ofi, and it moved them up to seven points in the league phase. AEK, who are on six points, now face a harder path to the next round. The sources report that PAOK created the more clear-cut chances in the first half, while AEK dominated spells after the interval but could not convert their pressure into an equaliser after Giovitch's goal.