Analysis The numbers behind the result
PAOK edge Kyiv in five-goal thriller despite early setback
PAOK's 3-2 victory was a fair reflection of a back-and-forth encounter where both sides showed attacking intent, though the Greek side demonstrated greater efficiency in key moments. Dynamo Kyiv struck first through Volodymyr Brazhko's 3rd-minute opener, but PAOK responded immediately with Giannis Konstantelias levelling in the 13th minute before Christos Zafeiris' 38th-minute strike gave them the lead. Baptiste Santamaria's 51st-minute goal proved decisive despite Jorrel Hato's late consolation.
The match turned on PAOK's ability to capitalise on transitional moments, with Konstantelias instrumental in both creating (1 assist) and scoring (1 goal). Kyiv's substitutions at 55' and 68' failed to stabilise their midfield, conceding Santamaria's goal just six minutes after their first changes. PAOK's three yellow cards to Kyiv's one suggest they were more aggressive in disrupting play when needed. The decisive stat was PAOK's clinical response to going behind - scoring twice within 25 minutes of conceding the opener.