On a tense Europa League night at Toumba Stadium in Thessaloniki, PAOK produced a ruthlessly efficient 2–0 victory over Real Betis that sharpened the contours of the league stage picture. With both sides already in strong positions, this was as much about seeding and statement as survival. Razvan Lucescu’s side struck twice after the break through Andrija Živković and Giorgos Giakoumakis, punishing a Betis team that controlled more of the ball but never truly translated possession into threat. The result lifts PAOK to 12 points with a +5 goal difference, reinforcing their play-off credentials, while Betis stall on 14 points.
First-half analysis
The opening 45 minutes were cagey and largely defined by discipline and duels rather than clear chances, reflected in the 0–0 half-time scoreline. PAOK, set up in a 4-2-3-1, were content to concede territory and look for moments in transition, while Manuel Pellegrini’s 4-3-3 for Betis sought to circulate the ball and pull the hosts out of shape.
The first notable flashpoint arrived on 26', when Dimitrios Pelkas picked up a yellow card for a foul, an early warning of PAOK’s willingness to disrupt Betis’ rhythm. Just before the interval, tension bubbled up on the other side: Sergi Altimira was booked on 44' for an argument, underlining how finely balanced and fractious the contest had become.
With no goals and limited penalty-area drama recorded before the break, the narrative was one of a tactical stalemate: PAOK disciplined and compact, Betis probing but unable to find a decisive incision.
Second half & tactical shifts
The second half hinged on managerial adjustments and PAOK’s superior punch in the final third. Lucescu moved first on 54', withdrawing the booked Pelkas and introducing Giannis Konstantelias, a like-for-like attacking midfielder switch that freshened PAOK’s creative line behind Giakoumakis.
Pellegrini responded immediately, taking off Aitor Ruibal for Abdessamad Ezzalzouli on 54' to inject more directness on the flank. On 62', he doubled down in midfield, replacing Pablo Fornals with Giovani Lo Celso and Altimira with Marc Roca, a clear attempt to add control and passing range in the centre.
Yet it was PAOK who seized the initiative. On 67', Giakoumakis turned provider, setting up Živković for the breakthrough. The goal crystallised the hosts’ game plan: fewer attacks, but far higher quality when they arrived.
Betis chased the game with further attacking tweaks. Pablo García made way for José Morante on 68', and another substitution followed the same minute, with Dani Pérez Guerrero coming on for an unnamed departing player, adding youthful energy and legs in midfield.
Lucescu, protecting the lead but keeping a counter-attacking threat, replaced Taison with Kiril Despodov on 83'. The temperature rose sharply on 85', when a flurry of yellow cards for arguments hit Živković, Ioannis Michailidis and Betis goalkeeper Pau López, evidence of frustration and rising stakes on both sides.
The decisive blow came on 86', Giakoumakis converting from the penalty spot to make it 2–0. In the closing minutes, Lucescu managed minutes and intensity: Magomed Ozdoev, already on a booking from 51', was replaced by Mady Camara on 88', while Giakoumakis, having scored and assisted, made way for Anestis Mythou the same minute, ensuring fresh legs to see out a professional victory.
Statistical deep dive
The numbers tell a story of contrasting styles. Betis controlled 57% of the ball and completed 374 of 453 passes at an 83% accuracy rate, comfortably out-passing PAOK, who finished with 43% possession and 255 accurate passes from 332 (77%). Yet that territorial and technical edge did not translate into danger.
Betis attempted 19 total shots to PAOK’s 12, but only managed 2 on target, compared to 4 for the hosts. The expected goals underline the gulf in chance quality: PAOK generated 2.86 xG, reflecting their penalty and multiple close-range efforts inside the box (11 of their 12 shots came from inside), while Betis mustered just 0.59 xG despite 11 efforts from outside the area. It was a textbook case of volume without venom versus precision and penetration.
Discipline added another layer of intensity. PAOK committed 14 fouls to Betis’ 11 and collected four yellow cards to the visitors’ two, a sign of the home side’s aggressive, combative approach in protecting their box and breaking up play. Goalkeeper saves were level at two apiece, reinforcing how well PAOK’s defensive structure limited the quality of Betis’ shooting.
Standings & implications
In the broader Europa League landscape, this result tightens the pack near the top seeding positions. PAOK move to 12 points from seven matches (W3 D3 L1) with a +5 goal difference (15 scored, 10 conceded), consolidating 12th place and their route into the 1/16-finals play-offs. Their home record remains immaculate in terms of defeats: 2 wins, 2 draws, 7–1 on aggregate at Toumba.
Real Betis stay on 14 points from seven games (W4 D2 L1), also with a +5 goal difference (11–6), holding 8th place and a pathway into the 1/8-finals. Yet this defeat is a reminder that, against well-drilled opposition, their possession-heavy model still needs sharper cutting edge to truly threaten in the knockout rounds.
