4 – 0
“Barnabás Varga doubled AEK's lead just four minutes later, finishing from a corner with assists credited to Filipe do Bem Relvas and Vito Oliveira. Levski had barely recovered from the first goal before conceding a second.”
Pivotal“Barnabás Varga completed his brace to make it 3-0, again from a corner situation assisted by Lovro Majer. The tie was effectively over before the half-hour mark, with Levski's set-piece defending completely exposed.”
Pivotal“Răzvan Marin stepped up to convert a penalty and make it 4-0, just minutes after receiving a yellow card for a foul. The spot kick capped a comprehensive display and ended any remaining interest in the contest.”
AEK Athens
Levski Sofia
Outstanding performance
AEK Athens•AttackerAEK Athens made a statement on the European stage, dismantling Levski Sofia 4-0 on the night and 4-0 on aggregate to advance to the next round of Champions League qualifying. The Greek side were ruthless from the first whistle, with Luka Jović opening the scoring with a header inside eight minutes from Lazaros Rota's assist, before Barnabás Varga added two more before the half-hour mark — both coming from corner-kick situations, exposing Levski's vulnerability at set pieces. Despite Levski edging possession at 52% and matching AEK's pass accuracy, they created nothing of note, registering zero big chances to AEK's five, which tells the real story of this contest. Răzvan Marin added a penalty in the 55th minute to complete the rout, and the second half dissolved into a procession of substitutions as AEK managed the game comfortably, advancing to the next round without ever facing a genuine threat.
How entertaining was this match?
ZiniYellow CardYellow card shown to Zini.
Mijat Gacinovic takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Kervin Arriaga comes on for Razvan Marin.
Mijat Gacinovic is on, and Luka Jovic is off.
David Kusso takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Offside.
Alex Centelles takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Asen Mitkov replaces Sérgio Miguel Lobo Araújo.
Oleksandr Zubkov comes on for Lovro Majer.
On Zini, off Barnabas Varga.
Stavros Pilios takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Mazire Soula is substituted for Armstrong Okoflex.
Stavros PiliosYellow CardYellow card shown to Stavros Pilios.
Petros Mantalos comes on for Aboubakary Koita.
Gasper Trdin takes a right-footed shot but misses.
David Kusso takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
Substitution: Gasper Trdin is replaced by Everton Bala.
David Kusso is on, and Maicon is off.
Perea comes on for Reinaldo.
Corner awarded.
Lazaros Rota takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
El Mehdi Moubarik takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Lazaros Rota takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Răzvan MarinShot on goal! Razvan Marin takes a right-footed shot.
Goal in the penalty shootout! Razvan Marin scores, bringing the tally to 4-0.
Răzvan MarinYellow CardYellow card issued to Razvan Marin.
Luka Jovic takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Razvan Marin takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
Maicon takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Bala from Everton takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
First half ends with a score of 3-0.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Kristian Dimitrov takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Reinaldo takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Aldair Neves takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Aboubakary Koita takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Lovro Majer takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Barnabás VargaShot - Barnabas Varga Head Shot Goal
assist: Lovro Majer
Goal! Barnabas Varga scores to make it 3-0, assisted by Lovro Majer.
Aboubakary Koita has a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Corner awarded.
Bala from Everton takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Razvan Marin takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Barnabás VargaShot from Barnabas Varga with his left foot results in a goal.
assist: Filipe Relvas
Goal! Barnabas Varga scores to make it 2-0, assisted by Filipe do Bem Relvas and Vito Oliveira.
Corner awarded.
Kaan Kairinen has a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Goal! Luka Jovic scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Lazaros Rota.
Luka JovićShot - Luka Jovic Head Shot Goal
Corner awarded.
Lovro Majer's left-footed shot is saved.
Kick-off! The referee is Clement Turpin.
AEK Athens host Levski Sofia in the decisive second leg of their Champions League play-off, with the tie perfectly poised after a goalless draw in Bulgaria. The Greeks enjoy home advantage at the OPAP Arena but must find a way past a disciplined Levski side that has proven difficult to break down.
