Dessers’ Extra Time Strike Sends Panathinaikos Into Conference League Play Offs

By Dorcas Francis Koji

Nigeria international Cyriel Dessers scored a dramatic extra-time winner as Panathinaikos defeated CSKA 1948 2-1 in Sofia to book their place in the UEFA Conference League play-off round.

Dessers struck in the 94th minute at the Vasil Levski National Stadium, restoring Panathinaikos’ lead just two minutes after Lasha Dvali had levelled for the Bulgarian hosts.

The victory secured a 3-2 aggregate triumph for the Greek side following last week’s 1-1 draw in Athens and kept their European campaign alive.

Panathinaikos took the lead in the 66th minute when Levi Garcia produced a composed finish from a difficult angle, sending the ball into the bottom corner.

CSKA 1948 refused to surrender and were rewarded deep into normal time when Dvali found the net in the 92nd minute, forcing the tie into extra time.

However, Panathinaikos needed only two minutes of extra time to regain control.

Dessers, who had threatened earlier in the second half, reacted quickly inside the penalty area before firing a right-footed effort into the bottom-left corner to seal a memorable victory for the visitors.

The result completed a dramatic turnaround after Panathinaikos were held to a 1-1 draw by CSKA 1948 in the first leg at the Olympic Stadium in Athens on August 5.

Panathinaikos had taken the lead in the 21st minute of that encounter through Adriano Jagusic, who rose to head Santino Andino’s cross into the net.

CSKA 1948 responded 10 minutes later when Georgi Rusev equalised following a scramble inside the Panathinaikos penalty area.

The Greek side created several opportunities to regain the advantage, but CSKA goalkeeper Petar Marinov produced a strong save to deny De Vrij, while Rusev came close to putting the visitors ahead.

Gasevic also struck the crossbar in the 82nd minute as the Bulgarian side finished the first leg strongly.

The 1-1 draw meant Panathinaikos travelled to Sofia knowing they had to avoid defeat to progress, but they eventually secured the result they needed in dramatic fashion.

Dessers’ late intervention proved decisive, with the Nigerian forward emerging as the hero after his extra-time strike ended a tense battle that remained undecided until the final stages.

Panathinaikos will now turn their attention to the UEFA Conference League play-off round, with Dessers’ goal giving the Greek club another opportunity to advance further in European competition.