PAOK substitute Salpingidis spoils AZ party

Substitute Dimitris Salpingidis scored an added-time equaliser as PAOK FC held AZ Alkmaar to a 1-1 draw in a thrilling match in Group L.

Both teams were aiming to maintain their perfect starts, and two impressive attacking outfits ultimately cancelled each other out. Salpingidis was the hero for the visitors, though, rifling in a deep free-kick at the back post on 93 minutes to wipe out Jeffrey Gouweleeuw's 82nd-minute strike.

The section rivals traded good opportunities in a high-octane first half. The crossbar denied PAOK's Alexandros Tziolis on eight minutes before visiting goalkeeper Jacobo turned wide an effort from Nemanja Gudelj. AZ were almost gifted the lead when Aron Jóhannsson seized on Miguel Vítor's back pass, but the United States international's composure deserted him. Stefanos Athanasiadis then came centimetres away from punishing that miss with a low attempt before the break.

The tit-for-tat exchanges continued after half-time. AZ's Gudelj was guilty of blasting at Jacobo after being played in by Maarten Martens' neat pass, and soon afterwards the Dutch side were grateful once again for the intervention of the woodwork, PAOK's Lucas crashing a header against the bar from Giorgos Tzavellas' superb cross.

Martens' creativity returned to the fore as a fine centre laid on another chance for AZ, but Jóhannsson could only watch in disbelief as his header clipped the bar on its way over. Substitute Johann Gudmundsson's two fierce shots then brought the acrobatic best out of Jacobo as the hosts turned the screw.

AZ's attacking impetus was finally rewarded eight minutes from time, when Willie Overtoom's clipped cross found Gouweleeuw unmarked at the back post, and the 22-year-old stabbed the ball beyond Jacobo. Veteran Salpingidis was to spoil the party, however, and it finished honours even.