“Zini opens the scoring with a perfectly placed left-footed shot from the center of the box into the top left corner, giving AEK the perfect start to their comeback attempt”
Pivotal“Răzvan Marin converts from the penalty spot after Aboubakary Koïta is fouled by Andrei Ratiu, doubling AEK's lead and putting them within touching distance of qualification”
Pivotal“Zini completes his brace with a towering header from Dereck Kutesa's cross, putting AEK 3-0 up on the night and level on aggregate”
Pivotal“Isi Palazón strikes the decisive blow with a clinical left-footed finish from Pedro Díaz's assist, scoring the crucial away goal that ends AEK's European dream”
Pivotal
AEK Athens
Rayo Vallecano
Outstanding performance
AEK Athens•MidfielderAEK Athens delivered a dominant performance but fell agonizingly short of a remarkable comeback, winning 3-1 on the night but losing 4-3 on aggregate to Rayo Vallecano. The Greek side controlled proceedings with 64% possession and 21 shots, creating seven big chances, but their wastefulness proved costly as they missed five clear opportunities. Zini was the standout performer with a brilliant brace, opening the scoring after 13 minutes and adding a second header six minutes into the second half. Răzvan Marin converted a penalty to make it 2-0 before halftime, giving AEK hope of overturning their first-leg deficit. However, Isi Palazón's crucial away goal on the hour mark effectively sealed Rayo's progress, as the Spanish side defended resolutely despite being outplayed for large periods.
How entertaining was this match?
Foul committed by Alemão of Rayo Vallecano.
Harold Moukoudi from AEK Athens wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Aboubakary KoitaYellow CardAboubakary Koïta of AEK Athens receives a yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul committed by Aboubakary Koïta of AEK Athens.
Alemão from Rayo Vallecano wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Aboubakary Koïta of AEK Athens.
Orbelín Pineda from AEK Athens wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Alemão of Rayo Vallecano.
Substitution for AEK Athens: Roberto Pereyra comes on for Stavros Pilios.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Augusto Batalla of Rayo Vallecano.
Attempt saved. Barnabás Varga's header from the center of the box is saved in the top right corner by Augusto Batalla. The cross was assisted by Niclas Eliasson.
Orbelín Pineda's right-footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Lazaros Rota provided the assist.
Niclas Eliasson of AEK Athens wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul committed by Pep Chavarría of Rayo Vallecano.
Aboubakary Koïta from AEK Athens misses the attempt with a right-footed shot from outside the box.
Harold Moukoudi's header from the center of the box is saved in the bottom right corner by Augusto Batalla. The attempt was assisted by Razvan Marin's cross.
Harold Moukoudi's header from the center of the box is saved.
AEK Athens win a corner after Florian Lejeune concedes.
Florian Lejeune's right-footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner by Thomas Strakosha.
Substitution for Rayo Vallecano: Nobel Mendy comes on for Isi Palazón.
Alemão from Rayo Vallecano wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Filipe Relvas of AEK Athens.
Rayo Vallecano wins a corner after Stavros Pilios concedes.
Substitution for AEK Athens: Mijat Gacinovic comes on for Zine.
AEK Athens wins a corner after Pedro Díaz concedes.
Alemão from Rayo Vallecano wins a free kick on the left wing.
Substitution for AEK Athens: Niclas Eliasson comes on for Dereck Kutesa.
Foul committed by Harold Moukoudi of AEK Athens.
Zine's header from close range is blocked. Barnabás Varga provided the assist with a cross.
Foul by Jorge de Frutos of Rayo Vallecano.
Stavros Pilios from AEK Athens wins a free kick on the left wing.
Isi Palazón from Rayo Vallecano wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Aboubakary Koïta of AEK Athens.
Andrei Ratiu's right-footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Jorge de Frutos provided the assist.
Zine from AEK Athens misses the attempt with a right-footed shot from very close range.
Foul committed by Aboubakary Koïta of AEK Athens.
Pacha Espino from Rayo Vallecano wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Harold Moukoudi of AEK Athens.
Alemão from Rayo Vallecano wins a free kick in the defensive half.
assist: Pedro Díaz
Goal! Isi Palazón scores for Rayo Vallecano with a left-footed shot from the center of the box into the top right corner, assisted by Pedro Díaz. The score is now AEK Athens 3, Rayo Vallecano 1.
Foul committed by Pacha Espino of Rayo Vallecano.
Lazaros Rota from AEK Athens wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Zine from AEK Athens misses an attempt with a header from close range, sending it high and wide to the right. The chance was assisted by Razvan Marin, who delivered a cross after a corner.
AEK Athens wins a corner after Pathé Ciss concedes.
Substitution for Rayo Vallecano: Pedro Díaz comes on for Luiz Felipe due to an injury.
Substitution for Rayo Vallecano: Óscar Valentín comes on for Unai López.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Luiz Felipe from Rayo Vallecano.
assist: Dereck Kutesa
Goal! AEK Athens 3, Rayo Vallecano 0. Zine scores for AEK Athens with a header from the center of the box into the top right corner, assisted by Dereck Kutesa.
Orbelín Pineda from AEK Athens wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Orbelín Pineda from AEK Athens wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Razvan Marin from AEK Athens misses a right-footed shot from the right side of the box, sending the ball to the left. The assist came from Lazaros Rota.
Aboubakary Koïta from AEK Athens misses the attempt with a right-footed shot from outside the box, sending it too high from a direct free kick.
Foul committed by Luiz Felipe of Rayo Vallecano.
Aboubakary Koïta from AEK Athens wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution for Rayo Vallecano: Alemão comes on for Ilias Akhomach.
The second half begins with the score at AEK Athens 2, Rayo Vallecano 0.
First half ends with AEK Athens leading Rayo Vallecano 2-0.
Stavros Pilios from AEK Athens wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Pacha Espino of Rayo Vallecano.
Isi Palazón from Rayo Vallecano wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul committed by Zine of AEK Athens.
Foul committed by Ilias Akhomach of Rayo Vallecano.
Orbelín Pineda from AEK Athens wins a free kick on the right wing.
The fourth official has indicated there will be 3 minutes of added time.
AEK Athens win a corner after Augusto Batalla concedes.
AEK Athens wins a corner after Augusto Batalla concedes.
Unai LópezYellow CardUnai López of Rayo Vallecano receives a yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul committed by Unai López of Rayo Vallecano.
Orbelín Pineda from AEK Athens wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Aboubakary Koïta's right-footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Dereck Kutesa provided the assist.
Pathé Ciss from Rayo Vallecano wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Harold Moukoudi of AEK Athens.
AEK Athens win a corner after Pathé Ciss concedes.
Foul committed by Florian Lejeune of Rayo Vallecano.
Barnabás Varga from AEK Athens wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Dereck Kutesa of AEK Athens is caught offside.
AEK Athens win a corner after Luiz Felipe concedes.
Pathé Ciss from Rayo Vallecano is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Zine of AEK Athens.
Goal in the penalty shootout! Razvan Marin scores for AEK Athens with a right-footed shot into the top left corner. The match remains 2-0.
Andrei Ratiu of Rayo Vallecano concedes a penalty after committing a foul in the penalty area.
AEK Athens is awarded a penalty after Aboubakary Koïta is fouled in the penalty area.
Attempt saved. Barnabás Varga's header from the center of the box is saved in the top left corner by Augusto Batalla.
Foul committed by Pacha Espino of Rayo Vallecano.
Orbelín Pineda from AEK Athens wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Barnabás VargaYellow CardBarnabás Varga of AEK Athens receives a yellow card for a foul.
Augusto Batalla of Rayo Vallecano wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Barnabás Varga of AEK Athens.
Attempt saved. Dereck Kutesa from AEK Athens has a left-footed shot from the left side of the box, but it's saved in the bottom left corner by Augusto Batalla of Rayo Vallecano. The assist came from Zine.
Foul committed by Zine of AEK Athens.
Pathé Ciss from Rayo Vallecano is awarded a free kick on the right wing.
Razvan Marin's left-footed shot from outside the box is saved in the center of the goal by Augusto Batalla.
Harold Moukoudi from AEK Athens misses a header from the center of the box after a corner.
AEK Athens win a corner after Luiz Felipe concedes.
Aboubakary Koïta's left-footed shot from the center of the box is blocked.
AEK Athens wins a corner after Andrei Ratiu concedes.
Ilias AkhomachYellow CardIlias Akhomach from Rayo Vallecano receives a yellow card.
Ilias AkhomachYellow CardIlias Akhomach from Rayo Vallecano receives a yellow card.
Foul by Aboubakary Koïta of AEK Athens.
Isi Palazón from Rayo Vallecano wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Ilias Akhomach from Rayo Vallecano misses a header from the center of the box, sending the ball to the right. The assist came from Álvaro García's cross.
assist: Stavros Pilios
Goal! AEK Athens leads Rayo Vallecano 1-0. Zine scores with a left-footed shot from the center of the box into the top left corner, assisted by Stavros Pilios.
Barnabás Varga of AEK Athens misses an attempt with a header from the center of the box, sending it too high. The chance was set up by Lazaros Rota, who provided a cross after a corner.
Aboubakary Koïta from AEK Athens wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Florian Lejeune of Rayo Vallecano.
Attempt missed by Álvaro García from Rayo Vallecano with a left-footed shot from the left side of the box.
Álvaro García's right-footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the center of the goal by Thomas Strakosha. The attempt was assisted by Jorge de Frutos.
Attempt missed. Andrei Ratiu from Rayo Vallecano has a left-footed shot from very close range that goes to the left.
Attempt saved. Isi Palazón's left-footed shot from outside the box is saved.
Isi Palazón from Rayo Vallecano wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Razvan Marin of AEK Athens.
Attempt missed. Florian Lejeune from Rayo Vallecano takes a right-footed shot from outside the box following a direct free kick.
Pathé Ciss from Rayo Vallecano wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul committed by Aboubakary Koïta of AEK Athens.
Foul committed by Razvan Marin of AEK Athens.
Florian Lejeune from Rayo Vallecano wins a free kick in the defensive half.
AEK Athens faces a monumental task at home, needing to overturn a 3-0 deficit against Rayo Vallecano to reach the Conference League semi-finals. With seven key players suspended, the Greek side must produce a miraculous comeback while Rayo aims to defend their commanding lead and secure their first-ever European semi-final.
