Vikingur Reykjavik stunned Panathinaikos with a 2-1 victory during the UEFA Europa Conference League playoff match held on February 13, 2025, at Kopavogsvollur Stadium. The Icelandic team delivered a compelling performance, particularly benefiting from their effective set pieces and counter-attacking strategy.
The match kicked off at 17:45 UTC, with both teams eyeing the opportunity to advance to the Round of 16 of the tournament. Panathinaikos, under the guidance of coach Rui Vitória, appeared to be the more dominant side initially, controlling possession. Despite fielding several reserve players, the Greek outfit included key figures such as forward Ioannidis among the substitutes, potentially limiting their attacking options.
Vikingur, coming off significant struggles reflected by their previous performance—a series of losses leading to their recent 2-0 victory over Kopavogur—faithfully relied on their home advantage. They quickly capitalized on their first corner, converting it from confusion within the Panathinaikos defense to score the opener through Davíd Atlason at the 12-minute mark.
Trailing behind, Panathinaikos increased their urgency to find the equalizer. Players like Bakasetas and Mancini moved emphatically down the right flank, threatening to poke holes through Vikingur's defense. Despite their ambitious maneuvers and enhanced pressure, the Greek team struggled with their finishing, failing to convert several promising opportunities.
Vikingur, sensing their opponents’ frustration, remained steadfast, retreating defensively but look for chances to strike on the counter. Their tactical approach paid dividends again at the 56-minute mark when Matt Vilhjálmsson scored their second goal. This time, he seized on poor handling from Panathinaikos goalkeeper Lodigin after his initial shot, doubling their lead and leaving Panathinaikos with the uphill task of recovering from two goals down.
Despite the mounting pressure and increased attacking intensity, Panathinaikos found themselves thwarted yet again before breaking through late. Ioannidis finally managed to find the back of the net via penalty, narrowing the deficit to 2-1. Nevertheless, it proved insufficient to alter the outcome of the match as Vikingur held firm to their lead until the final whistle.
The loss marked a disappointing turn for Panathinaikos, who had hoped to build on their previously lengthy unbeaten streak. Following their recent defeats including two away losses against Olympiakos and Aris, the players left the pitch visibly frustrated, hinting at the need for urgent tactical reevaluation before the return leg scheduled for the following Thursday, February 20.
This startling defeat underlines the unpredictability of knockout football where underdogs can shock more favored opponents—something Vikingur Reykjavik surely takes to heart as they look forward to the second leg with hopes of making history once again.