AEK Athens FC
AEK Athens stormed into the Champions League group stage with a devastating 4-0 victory over Levski Sofia in the play-off round, unleashing an attacking masterclass at the Olympic Stadium that left the Bulgarian side in ruins.
AEK Athens erupt early with Jovic opener
The Greek side exploded out of the blocks, silencing Levski Sofia’s hopes in just 7 minutes. Luka Jovic, the Serbian striker, opened the floodgates with a clinical finish after Lazaros Rota’s incisive run down the right flank. The home fans erupted – their team was already in the driving seat.
Varga doubles up before halftime
Barnabás Varga, AEK’s Hungarian forward, soon made his mark. In the 12th minute, he doubled their advantage with a close-range header from Filipe Relvas’ pinpoint cross. The Bulgarian defence was in tatters. Varga wasn’t done – he struck again in the 29th minute, slotting home from Lovro Majer’s defense-splitting pass to make it 3-0 before halftime. Levski Sofia were a beaten side.
Marin seals it from the spot
The second half was a damage limitation exercise for Levski. Răzvan Marin, AEK’s Romanian midfielder, compounded their misery with a 55th-minute penalty, calmly converting after a handball in the box. Levski made a triple substitution in the 63rd minute to inject fresh legs, but AEK’s defence, marshalled by Harold Moukoudi, stood firm against their weakened attacks.
What this means for AEK Athens and Levski Sofia
This emphatic win propels AEK Athens into the Champions League group stages, a monumental achievement for Marko Nikolic’s side. Their attacking trio of Jovic, Varga, and Majer proved unstoppable, with 7 shots on target from 18 attempts showcasing their dominance. Levski Sofia, despite enjoying more possession (52%), couldn’t convert their 11 shots into any meaningful threat, managing only 3 on target. Their European dreams for this season are over, while AEK Athens’ journey in Europe’s elite competition has just begun.
Key Moments
7′ ⚽ AEK Athens FC — L. Jovic (assist: L. Rota)
12′ ⚽ AEK Athens FC — B. Varga (assist: F. Relvas)
29′ ⚽ AEK Athens FC — B. Varga (assist: L. Majer)
55′ ⚽ AEK Athens FC — R. Marin🔮 Before kick-off: our match preview & prediction.
