Olympiakos has secured its spot in the Greek Cup final with a stunning 6-0 victory over AEK Athens during the first semifinal match held on February 26, 2023. The win marks one of the most significant results in the history of Greek football, dismissing any doubts about their dominance in the matchup.
From the outset, Olympiakos displayed overwhelming intensity, taking the lead just eight minutes after kickoff. A brilliant play from Luis Palma on the left flank allowed him to pass the ball to Francisco Orta, who deftly scored after the ball deflected off AEK's defender, leaving goalkeeper Strakosha with no chance. The early goal set the tone for the match, as Olympiakos pressed hard, eager to capitalize on any defensive errors from their opponents.
At the 19-minute mark, Orta struck again, turning what appeared to be a missed opportunity by his teammate, Yaremchuk, who had rushed the shot moments before. This time, Yaremchuk made no mistake, capitalizing on AEK's defensive confusion to score the third goal, effectively putting the game out of AEK's reach before halftime.
With AEK struggling to regroup, Olympiakos continued to press their advantage. The first half concluded with AEK's stiff resistance, which proved futile as Olympiakos showcased their attack-driven strategy, resulting in numerous attempts on goal from both Orta and Yaremchuk.
Upon returning for the second half, Olympiakos did not relent, and within two minutes, they added to their tally with Palma's exceptional long-range effort, making it 4-0. The relentless assault continued as Yaremchuk found the net again at the 53rd minute. AEK's defense, struggling under pressure, failed to contain the pace and skill of Olympiakos, leading to yet another goal.
Despite the crushing scoreline, AEK attempted to mount some offense, with Lamela having one of AEK's few shots on goal. Nonetheless, they couldn't convert their possessions effectively, and their best attempts were thwarted by the strong Olympiakos defense and goalkeeper Paschalakis.
During the final stages of the match, Olympiakos, seeming as if they could score at will, netted their sixth goal. Following another quick transition, Zé Luis assisted El Kaabi to finish off the scoring at 6-0, concluding the match on a high note for Olympiakos.
Unfortunately for Olympiakos, El Kaabi suffered a muscle injury, resulting in the 'red and whites' finishing the match one player down as they had already utilized all their substitutions. This setback, though, was overshadowed by the sheer magnitude of their victory.
The referee for this match was Felix Brych from Germany, who issued yellow cards for several players during the game, aiming to keep control amid the physicality of the match.
With this historic win, Olympiakos has assured themselves of the opportunity to claim the Greek Cup title, with the final scheduled to be held at OAKA on May 17, 2023. This performance raises hopes for the 'red and whites' as they prepare for what could be yet another successful season.”