NEC Nijmegen Complete Comeback to Defeat Olympiakos 2-1 After Extra Time

NEC Nijmegen Edge Olympiakos 2-1 After Extra Time

NEC Nijmegen defeated Olympiakos Piraeus 2-1 after extra time in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round at Stadion de Goffert. Olympiakos took the lead shortly after half-time, but NEC responded through B. Linssen before E. Mor settled the tie in the 95th minute.

El Kaabi Gives Olympiakos the Lead

The match remained level until A. El Kaabi gave Olympiakos the advantage in the 46th minute. His goal arrived at the start of the second half, putting the visitors ahead and placing NEC under pressure to find a response.

Olympiakos carried that lead into the later stages, but the game was already becoming increasingly demanding from a disciplinary perspective. D. Garcia had been booked in the 12th minute, while Rodinei and G. Sa also received yellow cards after the interval.

Linssen Restores NEC’s Momentum

NEC restored parity in the 70th minute when B. Linssen finished a move assisted by D. Tadic. The equaliser changed the momentum of the contest, giving the home side renewed belief after falling behind so soon after the restart.

The match had been level in NEC’s most recent recorded form before this fixture, and the team showed resilience by recovering from Olympiakos’ lead. With neither side able to produce another goal during normal time, the tie moved into extra time at 1-1.

Mor Delivers the Extra-Time Winner

NEC completed the turnaround in the 95th minute through E. Mor. K. Sierhuis supplied the assist, and Mor’s finish gave the Nijmegen side its first lead of the evening early in extra time.

The goal proved decisive as NEC held on to win 2-1 after extra time. Olympiakos had to manage the remainder of the contest with ten players after K. Fortounis was shown a red card in the 80th minute, a significant incident that limited the visitors’ options before the extra-time winner.

Cards Shape a Dramatic Qualifying Tie

Discipline played an important part in the match’s changing balance. Olympiakos collected bookings for D. Garcia, Rodinei and G. Sa before K. Fortounis was dismissed, while NEC’s B. Pereira and K. Sierhuis were cautioned late in normal time.

B. Onyemaechi was also booked in the 112th minute as the pressure continued during extra time. Maurizio Mariani of Italy oversaw a contest that featured seven listed cards, with NEC’s persistence and Olympiakos’ dismissal helping shape the final outcome.