Audio By Carbonatix
Ayoub El Kaabi struck four minutes from the end of extra time as Olympiakos beat Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final to become the first Greek side to win a European trophy.
The Moroccan striker, hero of Olympiakos' run to the final, stooped low to head in Santiago Hezze's cross and spark pandemonium in the AEK Arena in Athens.
A lengthy video assistant referee check confirmed El Kaabi's 11th goal of the competition and their place in Greek footballing history.
It is a second year of dramatic heartbreak for Fiorentina after the Italian side were beaten by West Ham in last season's final thanks to Jarrod Bowen's late goal.
Olympiakos flew out of the blocks as they attempted to reward their ferocious support, who had travelled the short distance from Piraeus to the home of their rivals AEK in northern Athens.
It was only the second time a Greek team had reached a European final while Fiorentina were playing in their sixth.
Both sides traded blows in a first half that promised goalmouth action but resulted in few clear chances.
On-loan Wolves midfielder Daniel Podence forced Fiorentina goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano into a fine save down his left in the opening three minutes.
Giacomo Bonaventura should have given Fiorentina the lead but his tentative effort in the box safely dropped into Konstantinos Tzolakis’ arms.
The Italians put together the best move of the night in the second half as right-back Dodo surged forward and found Christian Kouame in space inside the box but his poor contact on the ball allowed Tzolakis to claw it clear.
Extra time was needed it was El Kaabi - who scored five goals in the semi-finals against Aston Villa - who rose to the occasion again.
Latest Stories
-
Youth unemployment remains government’s biggest challenge — Asiedu Nketia
5 minutes -
Cost of borrowing projected to increase despite policy rate hold – banks
7 minutes -
Guardiola to leave Man City after 10 years as boss
11 minutes -
Carrick confirmed as Man Utd permanent manager
17 minutes -
Photos: Parliament reconvenes, opens second meeting of ninth parliament
17 minutes -
Aisha Bengai challenges young women to prioritise business investment over luxury spending
22 minutes -
AMA donates streetlights to improve security and trading conditions at Kantamanto Market
27 minutes -
Registrar of Companies set to delist 318 companies over compliance breaches
29 minutes -
NDC’s Ako Gunn dismisses NPP petition against judge as bid for political relevance
31 minutes -
National Ambulance Service rejects claims that EMTs are poorly trained
33 minutes -
Fire destroys part of cargo truck near Konongo fuel station
39 minutes -
2026 World Cup: No Foden, Trent and Palmer as Tuchel names England squad for tournament
42 minutes -
See the areas that will be affected by ECG’s planned maintenance on Friday May 22
53 minutes -
Ronaldo scores twice to seal Saudi Pro League at last with Al-Nassr
57 minutes -
SSNIT clarifies hotel advertisement, denies sale reports
1 hour