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Olympiacos became the first Greek side to lift a major European trophy with a historic 1-0 extra-time victory over Fiorentina in the UEFA Europa Conference League final in Athens.
Ayoub El Kaabi also became the first player in a major continental tournament to hit 11 goals in one campaign as he bravely headed Santiago Hezze’s cross into the net on 116 minutes with a frantic evenly-matched game apparently destined for penalties.
It prompted wild scenes of celebration after a lengthy VAR check for offside at the AEK Arena as Fiorentina suffered the disappointment of a second straight final defeat in the competition following their 2-1 loss to West Ham United in Prague just a year ago.
It was also a momentous evening for Olympiacos coach Jose Luis Mendilibar, who lifted the UEFA Europa League as Sevilla coach last season.
The only other Greek team to contest a European final saw Panathinakos lose 2-0 to Ajax in the 1971 European Cup final at Wembley.
Talking Point – A real Greek tragedy for wasteful Fiorentina
Vincenzo Italiano’s side paid a heavy penalty for failing to find a cutting edge in the final third. They had 17 shots at goal compared to six by their opponents, but too many of their finishes lacked conviction when they came within range of the Olympiacos goal.
In the end, it cost them dearly when El Kabbi struck with only his side’s fourth effort on target, the same amount as the Viola managed in a night mired in wasteful regret.
Player of the Match – Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiacos)
What can you say about the clinical Moroccan forward, who took his tally to an astonishing 33 for the season with a brilliant finish under intense pressure. Has been the focal point for his team’s glorious triumph, and popped up with the winner when the game seemed set for penalties.
Player Ratings
Olympiacos: Tzolakis 7, Rodinei 7, Retsos 7, David Carmo 7, Ortega 7, Hezze 7, Iborra 7, Chiquinho 7, Podence 7, Fortounis 7, El Kaabi 8 Subs: Horta 8, El-Arabi 6, Quini 6, Masouras 6, Jovetic 7
Fiorentina: Terraciano 7, Dodo 7, Milenkovic 7, Martinez Quarta 7, Biraghi 7, Bonaventura 7, Arthur 6, Mandragora 6, Gonzalez 6, Kouame 6, Belotti 6 Subs: Beltran 6, Ikone 6, Ranieri 6, Nzola 6, Duncan 6, Barak 6
Match Highlights
19′ GOLDEN CHANCE FOR SERIE A SIDE: Ball breaks nicely to Giacomo Bonaventura inside the box, but he ends up side footing the shot straight at Tzolakis. Easy enough save. That was a great chance to give Fiorentina the lead, but not taken.
84′ ANOTHER CHANCE FOR OLYMPIACOS: What a thrilling swerving set-piece from Horta from out wide. Looking for the slightest of touches from El Kaabi, but the ball just eludes him before dropping wide. Could have gone straight in.
106′ FINE EFFORT BY JOVETIC: Some superb play by him to direct a finish on target from outside the area, but Terracciano dives low to his left to make a very decent stop. Better from Olympiacos.
116′ GOAL! (EL KAABI) OLYMPIACOS 1-O FIORENTINA: Would you believe it! Right in the dying seconds as El Kaabi pops up with the 11th goal of his campaign and 33rd of the season in total. Santiago Hezze with the cross and that is a brilliant finish from close range into the net under pressure.
118′ THE GOAL IS GOOD! Huge cheers erupt from the Greek fans as the VAR match officials confirm the goal is good. Well, is that the winner? Certainly seems that way, but there is going to be five added minutes due to the VAR delay.
