SL 24/25: Olympiacos 2-1 Athens Kallithea

It was a match decided by a margin of millimeters, as Olympiacos grabbed a late winner that a VAR check ruled was just barely onside, resulting in a bitter loss to the reigning UEFA Conference League champions at Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium on Monday night, 2-1.

Olympiacos demonstrated their strength from the outset, putting waves of pressure on goal until Kristoffer Velde made the breakthrough, sending a curling shot past Bernabé in the 14th minute. But AKFC settled down around the half-hour mark, and they would turn the momentum of the match in the second half.

After the break, Roberts Uldriķis and Pyry Soiri had good looks at goal in the 47th and 58th minutes, respectively, before Uldriķis finally put in the equalizer in the 60th minute, collecting the ball from Andrei Moțoc and finishing through traffic.

AKFC were suddenly right in the match, and Demethryus carved through the defense to set up Uldriķis for a chance to take the lead in the 72nd minute. But five minutes later, Olympiacos went back in front. The play was initially flagged offside, but, after a VAR check, El Kaabi was ruled onside when he directed the ball on goal, before Yaremchuck swept in the rebound.

After Demethryus went close to a second equalizer in stoppage time, the match ended with AKFC rueing the missed opportunity.

Athens Kallithea (3-4-2-1): Bernabé, Mejías (40’ Demethryus), Isimat, Pasalidis, Manthatis, Moțoc, Matilla (84’ Vasilogiannis), Soiri (75’ Hanousek), Mercati (46’ Diba), Moutinho (84’ Loukinas), Uldriķis