Rastoder Rescues Panathinaikos in 2-2 Paks Thriller

Panathinaikos needed an 85th-minute equaliser from substitute Edon Rastoder to salvage a 2-2 draw against Hungarian outsiders Paks in a pulsating UEFA Europa Conference League second qualifying round first leg in Athens.

Paks Punish Passive Panathinaikos

The visitors, playing just their second ever European tie, stunned Leoforos Stadium when Milán Pető pounced on Kevin Horváth’s 35th-minute through ball to slot past Iñaki Peña. The goal came against the run of possession – Panathinaikos dominated 71% of the ball – but exposed defensive fragility as Ahmed Touba failed to track Pető’s run.

Adriano Jagusic restored parity on the stroke of half-time, the Croatian midfielder lashing home from 12 yards after Paks failed to clear a corner. But Jacob Neestrup’s side nearly gifted the lead back immediately, with János Szabó booked for a cynical foul to stop a counter.

Győrfi Stuns Greeks Again

Paks manager Gyorgy Bognar made a tactical masterstroke at half-time, replacing booked left-back Andor Lapu with Barnabás Lenzser. The change paid dividends when Márió Zeke teed up Milán Győrfi to rifle past Peña from the edge of the box in the 57th minute – Paks’ second shot on target.

Neestrup responded with a triple substitution, including introducing Manchester United loanee Facundo Pellistri. But it was another replacement, Rastoder, who became the hero, nodding in Stefan de Vrij’s knockdown from a late corner to spare Greek blushes.

What This Means

The result leaves next week’s second leg in Hungary delicately poised. Panathinaikos will rue wasting 19 shots (8 on target) against a team that finished fourth in Hungary’s NB I. Paks’ heroic rearguard – making 5 saves and 7 blocks – gives them hope of a historic upset in the return.

For the Greens, defensive questions remain after conceding twice to limited opposition. Their 83% pass accuracy counted for little when breached by Paks’ clinical counters. The Hungarians, meanwhile, will wonder if this was a missed opportunity after leading twice against faltering European royalty.