Standard comeback eliminates Panathinaikos
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
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Panathinaikos FC 1-2 R. Standard de Liège (agg: 1-2)
Standard's first-half double was enough to fire them past Panathinaikos and into the play-offs.
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R. Standard de Liège scored two quick-fire goals to come from behind against Panathinaikos FC and progress to Friday's UEFA Champions League play-off draw.
After a scoreless first leg, the Greek hosts took the lead through Dino Arslanagic's own goal. Yanis Mbombo equalised for Standard and Paul-José Mpoku put them ahead with a beautifully curled effort just before the break. Panathinaikos came agonisingly close to an equaliser in the second half but were twice denied by the crossbar and transfer to the UEFA Europa League play-offs.
The Athens club were more fortunate in the opening stages and they took the lead when Arslanagic sliced Marcus Berg's cross into his own net as he attempted to clear. Panathinaikos could have added a quick second but Eiji Kawashima produced a fine fingertip save to stop Berg's powerful strike.
Soon after, Igor De Camargo stole the ball in midfield and launched a ruthless counterattack before setting up Mbombo for a simple finish. Six minutes later substitute Mpoku cut in from the left and whipped the ball past Stefanos Kotsolis from outside the area. In the second half Kawashima tipped Thanasis Dinas long-range drive onto the post, and after Nano had smashed a header against the bar, the Japanese keeper made another crucial save to deny Abdul Ajagun.