Lyon sealed first place in their UEFA Europa League group with a dramatic 4-2 win over 10-man PAOK, thanks to late strikes from Adam Karabec and Alejandro Gomes, while the Greek side will have to navigate the knockout phase playoffs.
The match unfolded under a somber shadow following the tragic deaths of seven PAOK supporters in a road traffic accident earlier this week.
Out of respect, the away section remained closed, a minute’s silence was observed before kickoff, and Lyon fans displayed a banner reading: “Pain has no colours, rest in peace.”
Despite the heavy atmosphere, PAOK took an early lead in the 20th minute when Giorgos Giakoumakis expertly finished from Andrija Živković’s driven short-corner cross.
Their advantage lasted less than 15 minutes, as Lyon’s Rémi Himbert, just 17, scored his first senior goal by cleverly shifting the ball onto his right foot before slotting past goalkeeper Antonis Tsiftsis.
PAOK’s challenge suffered another blow when Giannis Konstantelias was sent off for a second yellow after a reckless tackle on Mathys De Carvalho.
The second half saw Lyon take control through another young talent, 18-year-old Khalis Merah, who calmly converted a right-foot shot off the far post for his first goal for the club.
Yet PAOK, despite being a man down, showed remarkable resilience, with Soualiho Meïté rising highest to head in Živković’s outswinging corner and restore parity.
PAOK appeared to be salvaging a draw until Karabec made up for a missed penalty earlier, slotting home in the 88th minute, before Gomes sealed the win with his first senior goal in stoppage time, leaving PAOK in 17th place in the group.
