Incredible PAOK comeback keeps Champions League dream alive
 

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - 3RD QUALIFYING ROUND (LEG 1)

PAOK came from two goals down to stage an astonishing fightback against Spartak Moscow in the first leg of their Champions League 3rd qualifying round tie at the Toumba, beating the Russians 3-2.

Watch LIVE GREEK TV including full GREEK SPORTS coverage from AGONASport.com! 

Early first half goals from Ivelin Popov and Quincy Promes inside the first 17 minutes left Razvan Lucescu’s deflated PAOK team with a mountain to climb to get back into the game.

But the SuperLeague runners-up and Greek Cup holders did not shirk the challenge, and Aleksandar Prijovic’s 29th-minute penalty, and further goals from Dimitris Limnios and Dimitris Pelkas helped PAOK turn the match on its head before half-time.

The pace of the game dropped in the second half and PAOK, who disposed of Swiss outfit Basel in the previous round, held on to claim a superb win which gives them an ever so slender advantage ahead of next week’s return leg in Moscow.

The winners of the tie will face Portuguese giants Benfica or Turkish club Fenerbahçe in the play-offs, while the losers will go into the Europa League group stage.

PAOK, who have never reached the group stage of the Champions League, looked to have thrown their big chance away after just over a quarter of an hour played in Thessaloniki.

Popov’s opener came after just seven minutes and Promes’ goal 10 minutes later stunned the Toumba faithful into silence.

But PAOK got right back in it when Roman Zobnin handled the ball in the penalty area and Serbian striker Prijovic stepped up to stroke home the resulting spot-kick.

That goal understandably boosted PAOK’s confidence and the momentum swung clearly in their favor as they sought to attack at every opportunity. The rewards came twice in quick succession as Limnios converted Leo Matos’ cross in the 37th minute, before Matos was again the provider for Pelkas to score from close range seven minutes later.

Chances were few and far between in a much more slower-paced second 45 minutes, but there was still time for more heroics from the home side as goalkeeper Alexandros Paschalakis brilliantly saved Spartak skipper Promes’ 71st -minute penalty to make sure PAOK held on to their advantage.
 

HIGHLIGHTS: PAOK - SPARTAK MOSCOW

by Graham Wood

Image Source: sportfm.gr

Thank you for visiting AGONAsport.com, the only English based website for Greek sports fans across the world! Like us on Facebook , follow us on   Instagram, and Twitter  for all the latest news in Greek Sports!