“Nikita Iosifov opens the scoring for Celje with a composed left-footed finish from the center of the penalty area after AEK failed to clear their lines”
Pivotal“Rudi Pozeg Vancas doubles Celje's advantage with a tap-in from close range, converting Matej Poplatnik's assist to put the visitors in complete control”
Pivotal“AEK make double substitution at half-time bringing on Milot Avdyli and Darko Hrka in desperate attempt to salvage the tie”
AEK Athens
Celje
Outstanding performance
Celje•GoalkeeperCelje delivered a masterclass in clinical finishing to secure a 2-0 victory at AEK Athens, though the Greek side progressed 4-2 on aggregate. The Slovenian visitors took control early through Nikita Iosifov's close-range finish after sustained pressure, then doubled their advantage just before half-time when Rudi Pozeg Vancas capitalized on a rebound from Matej Poplatnik's assist. Despite the setback, AEK's first-leg performance proved decisive as they weathered Celje's spirited fightback to advance in the Europa Conference League. The match highlighted AEK's vulnerability at home but ultimately their superior quality over two legs saw them through to the next round.
How entertaining was this match?
The fourth official has indicated that there will be three minutes of stoppage time.
Luka Jovic of AEK Athens earns a free kick in his team's defensive zone.
Niclas Eliasson from AEK Athens is awarded a free kick in his team's defensive zone.
Missed opportunity! Rudi Pozeg Vancas from Celje takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it sails high and to the right of the goal. He was assisted by Mario Kvesic.
Lukasz Bejger from Celje commits a foul.
Aboubakary Koïta from AEK Athens earns a free kick on the left flank.
Substitution for Celje: Zan Karnicnik comes on to take the place of Ivan Calusic.
Corner kick awarded to AEK Athens after a defensive play by Damjan Vuklisevic.
Missed opportunity! Niclas Eliasson from AEK Athens took a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area but couldn't find the target.
Corner awarded to AEK Athens after a play that resulted in a deflection off Artemijus Tutyskinas.
Niclas Eliasson of AEK Athens earns a free kick on the right flank.
Rudi Pozeg Vancas from Celje commits a foul.
Milot Avdyli from Celje commits a foul.
Aboubakary Koïta of AEK Athens is awarded a free kick on the left flank.
Substitution for Celje: Armandas Kucys comes on to take the place of Matej Poplatnik.
Substitution for Celje: Mario Kvesic comes on to take the place of Svit Seslar.
Ivan Calusic from Celje is awarded a free kick in the opponent's half.
Petros Mantalos from AEK Athens commits a foul.
Luka Jovic from AEK Athens earns a free kick in the opponent's half.
Damjan Vuklisevic from Celje commits a foul.
Matej Poplatnik from Celje earns a free kick in his team's defensive zone.
Petros Mantalos from AEK Athens commits a foul.
Corner kick awarded to AEK Athens after Darko Hrka allowed the ball to go out of play.
Corner kick awarded to AEK Athens after Svit Seslar allowed the ball to go out.
Corner kick awarded to AEK Athens after Lukasz Bejger allowed the ball to go out.
The shot was blocked. Razvan Marin from AEK Athens made a right-footed attempt from the right side of the penalty area, but Simon Sluga from Celje managed to save it, denying the effort aimed at the top center of the goal. The assist came from Orbelín Pineda.
Substitution for AEK Athens: Petros Mantalos comes on to take the place of Mijat Gacinovic.
Substitution for AEK Athens: Niclas Eliasson comes on to take the place of Dereck Kutesa.
Missed opportunity. Mijat Gacinovic from AEK Athens took a right-footed shot from a challenging angle and a considerable distance on the left side.
Offside call against Celje. Svit Seslar has been flagged for being in an offside position.
Shot on goal denied. Mijat Gacinovic from AEK Athens takes a right-footed strike from outside the penalty area, but the goalkeeper makes the save.
A shot attempt is thwarted. Aboubakary Koïta from AEK Athens tries to score with his left foot from the middle of the penalty area, but the attempt is blocked.
Substitution for Celje: Milot Avdyli comes on to take the place of Nikita Iosifov.
Substitution for Celje: Darko Hrka comes on to take the place of Juanjo Nieto.
The first half concludes with AEK Athens trailing 0-2 against Celje.
Missed opportunity! Razvan Marin from AEK Athens took a right-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, but it went wide to the right. He was assisted by Dereck Kutesa.
The fourth official has indicated that there will be no additional time added.
Missed opportunity. Razvan Marin of AEK Athens took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it sailed high and to the right. The attempt was set up by Stavros Pilios after a set piece.
Missed opportunity! Razvan Marin from AEK Athens took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it sailed high and to the right of the goal. The chance was created by Stavros Pilios after a set piece play.
Razvan Marin from AEK Athens earns a free kick in the opponent's half.
assist: Juanjo Nieto
Goal! AEK Athens 0, Celje 2. Rudi Pozeg Vancas from Celje scores with a left-footed shot from just a few yards out, finding the center of the net.
Goal! AEK Athens 0, Celje 2. Rudi Pozeg Vancas scores for Celje with a left-footed shot from just a few yards out, finding the center of the net. The assist came from Matej Poplatnik.
Corner kick awarded to AEK Athens after Artemijus Tutyskinas allowed the ball to go out of play.
Blocked attempt! Mijat Gacinovic from AEK Athens takes a left-footed shot from the middle of the box, but it gets intercepted. The cross was set up by Dereck Kutesa.
The shot was blocked. Lazaros Rota from AEK Athens took a left-footed attempt from the right side of the penalty area, but it was successfully saved.
Mijat Gacinovic from AEK Athens earns a free kick in his team's defensive zone.
Juanjo Nieto from Celje commits a foul.
Mijat GacinovicYellow CardMijat Gacinovic of AEK Athens receives a yellow card for committing a serious foul.
Svit Seslar from Celje has been awarded a free kick in their own half.
Mijat GacinovicMijat Gacinovic from AEK Athens commits a foul.
Rudi Pozeg Vancas from Celje is awarded a free kick in his team's defensive zone.
Filipe Relvas from AEK Athens commits a foul.
Svit Seslar commits a foul for Celje.
Aboubakary Koïta from AEK Athens earns a free kick in his team's defensive zone.
Stavros Pilios from AEK Athens is awarded a free kick in his team's defensive zone.
Nikita Iosifov from Celje commits a foul.
Matej Poplatnik from Celje is awarded a free kick on the right side of the field.
Filipe Relvas from AEK Athens commits a foul.
Juanjo Nieto from Celje is awarded a free kick in his team's defensive zone.
Mijat Gacinovic from AEK Athens commits a foul.
Luka Jovic commits a foul for AEK Athens.
Artemijus Tutyskinas from Celje earns a free kick in his team's defensive zone.
Missed opportunity! Papa Daniel from Celje takes a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it sails over the crossbar.
Matej Poplatnik from Celje has been awarded a free kick in his team's defensive half.
Mijat Gacinovic from AEK Athens commits a foul.
Blocked attempt. Mijat Gacinovic of AEK Athens had a right-footed shot from the center of the box, but it was stopped. He was assisted by Filipe Relvas.
Corner kick awarded to AEK Athens after a play that resulted in a deflection off Artemijus Tutyskinas.
Corner kick awarded to AEK Athens after a defensive play by Damjan Vuklisevic.
Orbelín Pineda from AEK Athens earns a free kick in the offensive half of the field.
Papa Daniel commits a foul for Celje.
Ivan ĆalušićYellow CardIvan Calusic from Celje receives a yellow card for committing a serious foul.
Orbelín Pineda of AEK Athens is awarded a free kick in his team's defensive zone.
Orbelín Pineda from AEK Athens is awarded a free kick in his team's defensive zone.
Foul committed by Ivan Calusic of Celje.
Corner kick awarded to Celje after Dereck Kutesa allowed the ball to go out.
Svit Seslar from Celje has been awarded a free kick in the opponent's half.
Orbelín Pineda of AEK Athens commits a foul.
Missed opportunity. Aboubakary Koïta from AEK Athens took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it went wide to the left. The attempt was set up by Razvan Marin, who delivered a cross after a corner kick.
Corner kick awarded to AEK Athens after Simon Sluga allowed the ball to go out of play.
A shot on goal has been thwarted. Dereck Kutesa from AEK Athens tried a left-footed strike from the center of the penalty area, but Simon Sluga of Celje made a save in the bottom left corner, with Mijat Gacinovic providing the assist.
Orbelín Pineda from AEK Athens earns a free kick in his own half.
Orbelín Pineda of AEK Athens is awarded a free kick in his team's defensive zone.
assist: Svit Seslar
Goal! Celje takes the lead against AEK Athens, 1-0. Nikita Iosifov scores with a left-footed shot from the middle of the penalty area.
The shot is deflected. Orbelín Pineda from AEK Athens takes a right-footed attempt from outside the penalty area, but it's blocked.
Razvan Marin from AEK Athens is awarded a free kick in his team's defensive zone.
Papa Daniel commits a foul for Celje.
Offside call against Celje. Rudi Pozeg Vancas has been flagged for being in an offside position.
Juanjo Nieto from Celje is awarded a free kick on the left side of the field.
Juanjo Nieto from Celje is awarded a free kick on the left side of the field.
The pause has ended. They are set to resume play.
The match is currently paused due to an injury to Svit Seslar from Celje.
Juanjo Nieto from Celje is awarded a free kick in his team's defensive zone.
Juanjo Nieto from Celje is awarded a free kick in the defensive zone.
The opening half is underway...
The teams have been revealed, and the players are currently going through their warm-up routines.
AEK Athens host Celje with a commanding 4-0 first-leg advantage, virtually guaranteeing their spot in the Conference League quarter-finals. The Greek side's clinical finishing and home advantage at OPAP Arena should seal a comfortable progression against the Slovenian underdogs.
