Panathinaikos fell in Seville and this season’s European dream ended in the Round of 16 of the Europa League. The Greens lost 4-0 to Real Betis and will not continue their European journey.
The ending at Cartuja Stadium was bitter, but the overall course of the “Shamrock” — from the summer qualifiers, the League Phase, to the knockout matches and the 1-0 victory over Betis at OAKA — leaves a positive mark in a difficult season for the team. The European Panathinaikos is back, laying strong foundations for even greater moments and longer runs…
As for the return leg in Seville, where thousands of Panathinaikos fans made their presence loudly felt, Betis threatened first (3’) with a header from Cucho Hernández that went wide, while Panathinaikos responded with a huge chance to open the score. In the 5th minute, Renato Sanches delivered an excellent pass to Pellistri, who found himself one-on-one with Pau López, but the goalkeeper saved with his foot.
The hosts eventually scored in the 8th minute. After a powerful long-range shot from Cucho Hernández hit the crossbar, the ball fell to Ruibal, who finished from close range for 1-0.
Betis threatened again in the 16th minute with a shot by Fornals, saved by Lafont, and another off-target effort by Antony in the 30th minute. Panathinaikos had a good moment in the 34th minute, with Tetteh combining nicely with Pellistri, but the Greek forward’s shot ended in the goalkeeper’s arms.
In stoppage time of the first half (45+1’), Betis scored again with a long-range shot by Amrabat, in a phase that appeared to begin with a clear attacking foul on Calabria and a possible offside.
Although the Greens entered the second half determined to chase the goal that would bring them back into qualification contention, Betis scored again. In the 53rd minute, after a counterattack, Ruibal crossed to Cucho Hernández, who made it 3-0. Then in the 66th minute, Antony, after an assist from Ez Abde, finished with his left foot to seal the final score.
In the final part of the match, Lafont made three excellent saves — denying Roca in the 78th minute, stopping Antony in a one-on-one in the 79th, and blocking another attempt from Ez Abde in the 83rd — preventing the score from increasing further.
Pau Lopez, Bellerin, Bartra, Natan, Rodriguez, Antony, Fornals (73′ Altimira), Amrabat (64′ Roca), Ez Abde, Cucho Hernandez (73′ Avila), Ruibal (64′ Fidalgo).
Panathinaikos: Lafont, Ingason, Katris (72′ Swiderski), Hernandez, Calabria, Kyriakopoulos, Renato Sanches (54′ Cerin), Bakasetas (54′ Cerin), Pellistri (Djuricic), Taborda (85′ Siopis), Tetteh.
