A brief blackout in the closing stages denied Panathinaikos a victory that would have given them a clear advantage in the battle to qualify for the Conference League League Phase. A 2-0 lead until the 85th minute turned into a 2-2 draw, meaning qualification will now be decided in Czechia in a week’s time.
The Greens made a strong start to the game and, before the opening minute had even been completed, looked to threaten through a García shot that was deflected behind for a corner. Panathinaikos remained in complete control of the match, but in the 24th minute they lost Tsapras to injury, with Katris coming on in his place.
In the 27th minute, Hradec were unexpectedly presented with an opportunity after the Panathinaikos defense failed to clear the ball properly. However, a crucial intervention from Van Drongelen averted the danger. The Czech side threatened again in the 35th minute, when Van Buren’s long-range effort flew just past the base of Peña’s right-hand post.
The Greens responded immediately in the 36th minute with a great chance for García following a superb pass from Taborda, but Livai’s effort was off target. Panathinaikos could also have scored in first-half stoppage time, but Taborda failed to make clean contact with the ball inside the box after García had headed it into his path.
Panathinaikos came out with great intensity after the break and, after threatening through Taborda in the 53rd minute, struck twice in quick succession. In the 55th minute, following a cross from Camara, Tetteh collected the ball and fired home from inside the penalty area to open the scoring.
The Panathinaikos players made the most of their momentum and struck again just a few minutes later. In the 61st minute, Chirivella played a through ball into the path of Tetteh, who stayed on his feet despite the pressure from the opposing defender and produced a wonderful chipped finish over the Hradec goalkeeper to make it 2-0.
Despite their two-goal advantage, the Greens suffered a complete blackout in the closing stages and paid the price. Hradec hit the post through Trubac in the 88th minute before Umar scored twice, in the 90th and 90+6th minutes, to level the match.
Panathinaikos will now travel to the Czech Republic, next Thursday, with qualification on the line.
Panathinaikos: Pena, Tsapras (24’ Katris), Kyriakopoulos, De Vrij, Van Drongelen, Camara, Chirivella, Taborda (72’ Jagusic), Andino (67’ Pellistri), Levi García (67’ Dessers), Tetteh (72’ Rastoder).
Hradec Králové: Zadrazil, Cech, Cihak, Uhrincat, Horák, Dancák (72’ Trubac), Darida (72’ Valenta), Ludvícek, Sloncík (61’ Umar), Van Buren (72’ Vlkanova), Mihálik (82’ Neto).
