Panathinaikos tried to overturn the 1–0 deficit but failed in Toumba. The Greens were defeated 2–0 by PAOK in the semifinal return leg and missed the chance to return to a Cup final after 2024.
Rafa Benitez’s players almost became dangerous as early as the 4th minute after Ozdoev’s pass back to Tsiftsis, who just managed to reach the ball ahead of Taborda and clear it. PAOK had two dangerous shots by Meite within two minutes (7’–8’), the first going wide and the second being saved for a corner by Lafont.
After the 10th minute, the tempo dropped, the match became more nervous and physical duels dominated until halftime. In the 42nd minute, however, Lafont made an impressive save on a header by Giakoumakis, allowing both teams to go to the locker rooms level (0–0).
The second half began with Andino threatening in the 47th minute with a shot from outside the box that went wide. As time passed, the Greens tried to push higher up the pitch and become more dangerous in search of a goal. They pressed PAOK but could not find the net. Instead, the hosts opened the scoring in the 71st minute through Giakoumakis, who received a pass from Chatsidis and scored on the rebound after his first effort was blocked.
The Greens tried to respond and find a goal to get back into the qualification race. However, despite their efforts, they could not. In the 87th minute, the final score was shaped when Lafont saved Giakoumakis’ shot and Chatsidis, who collected the rebound, scored from inside the area.
Adriano Jagusic made his debut in the Panathinaikos jersey.
PAOK: Tsiftsis, Baba, Kenny, Michailidis, Kedziora, Meite, Ozdoev (78’ Kamara), Pelkas (39’ Giakoumakis), Taison (81’ Zafeiris), Zivkovic, Mythou (39’ Chatsidis).
Panathinaikos: Lafont, Ingason, Toumba, Palmer-Brown (77’ Jagusic), Calabria, Kyriakopoulos (63’ Zaroury), Kontouris (81’ Katris), Bakasetas (63’ Renato Sanches), Taborda, Andino, Tetteh (63’ Swiderski).
Before the kickoff, the Greens laid a wreath and flowers in memory of the tragic loss of PAOK’s supporters.
