OM’s Dreams of Champions League Quashed by Panathinaikos: Marseille’s Elimination in the 3rd Preliminary Round Despite a 2-0 lead at Vélodrome on Tuesday, Marseille’s hopes for a Champions League spot were dashed as Panathinaikos snatched a last-second equalizer to force extra time, eventually triumphing in a penalty shootout (2-1, 3-5 on penalties), after losing the first leg 1-0 in Greece.
Panathinaikos Pulls off a Miraculous Comeback! Virtually invisible for 90 minutes and trailing by two goals due to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s brace, the Greek club managed to net a penalty in the dying moments of the match on Tuesday, August 15th. This dramatic turn of events earned them a chance at extra time and penalties. After their initial defeat in the first leg of the Champions League third preliminary round (1-0) the previous Wednesday, Marseille needed a victory by at least a two-goal margin to advance to the C1 playoffs.
Marseille executed a dominant first half, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scoring his first two official goals (2nd, 45th+1). This placed the Phocéens in a commanding position against the largely absent Greek opponents. A late penalty awarded to Fotis Ioannidis (90th+9) for a handball by Matteo Guendouzi allowed Panathinaikos to crawl back into the match. During the penalty shootout, Matteo Gendouzi faltered in his attempt, while all five Greek shooters remained composed against substitute Ruben Blanco, who was brought in specifically for the shootout.
Relive the exhilarating twists and turns of this remarkable encounter.
