AEK snatch the title in stoppage time — Panathinaikos's worst night

The title is gone

This is as bad as it gets. Panathinaikos handed AEK the Greek championship last night, losing 2–1 in a game they were leading — only to concede the winner in the 93rd minute (1) (2) (3) (4).

Joao Mario was the knife. He came off the bench and scored the decisive goal deep in stoppage time to send AEK into the title celebrations (1) (2). Panathinaikos had taken the lead and were minutes from a result that could have changed the whole picture. Instead, they collapsed at the worst possible moment.

This was not a one-off bad night. Under Benitez, Panathinaikos were poor throughout the playoff phase — outclassed, outfought, and ultimately outrun by AEK (9). The title conversation was never really theirs to have (9).

AEK's Roberto Pereira said the championship "means a lot" to him personally (6). From a Pao perspective, that quote stings. The rival celebrated on what felt like borrowed time, and Panathinaikos were there to watch it happen.

There is no sugarcoating this. A brutal end to the season. The questions for Benitez and the squad start now.

Sources

  • 1. mynet.com — Atina'da 90+4 çılgınlığı! AEK, Panathinaikos'u Joao Mario ile devirip şampiyon oldu
  • 2. news.google.com — Ο Ζοάο Μάριο ήρωας και η ΑΕΚ πανάξια Πρωταθλήτρια με τρομερή ανατροπή απέναντι στον Παναθηναϊκό - Athletiko
  • 3. news.google.com — ΑΕΚ – Παναθηναϊκός 2-1: Παναξία πρωταθλήτρια η Ένωση - Neos Kosmos
  • 4. news.google.com — ΑΕΚ - Παναθηναϊκός 2-1: Πρωταθλήτρια Ελλάδας η «Ένωση» με ανατροπή στο 93ο λεπτό! - Newsbomb
  • 6. gazzetta.gr — Περέιρα: «Το πρωτάθλημα αυτό σημαίνει πολλά για εμένα»
  • 9. gazzetta.gr — Φτωχός συγγενής στα play offs ο Παναθηναϊκός του Μπενίτεθ