PAOK Salonika secured a 2‑0 home win over Real Betis on 22 January 2026, earning three points in the UEFA Europa League group stage and strengthening their push for the knockout round. Goals from Andreas Mitsou and Marios Katsantonis sealed the victory, while a solid defensive display kept the Spanish side scoreless.
Match Overview
The game kicked off at 17:45 UTC under clear skies at Toumba Stadium. PAOK, coached by Răzvan Lucescu, deployed a 4‑2‑3‑1 formation focused on midfield compactness and rapid transitions. Real Betis, led by Manuel Pellegrini, lined up in a 4‑3‑3, aiming to use width and technical flair.
First Goal
In the 23rd minute, PAOK winger Milan Škriniar delivered a low cross from the right flank that found striker Andreas Mitsou. Mitsou timed his run perfectly, beating centre‑back Juan Foyth with a deft header that nestled into the bottom corner, prompting a roar from the Toumba crowd.
Defensive Resilience
Betis pressed for an equaliser, but PAOK’s back line, marshalled by veteran centre‑back Andreas Milanov, held firm. Goalkeeper Vasilis Koutsis made several crucial saves, including a reflex stop from a close‑range effort by Borja Mayoral in the 38th minute.
Second Goal
The 61st minute saw a swift counter‑attack: midfielder Giorgos Koutsis threaded a precise through‑ball to winger Marios Katsantonis, who cut inside and unleashed a low drive from the edge of the box. The shot evaded goalkeeper Joel Robles and rolled into the net, doubling PAOK’s lead.
Statistical Snapshot
- Possession: PAOK 58% – Betis 42%
- Passes: PAOK 512 (86% accuracy) – Betis 398 (81% accuracy)
- Defensive actions (PAOK): 14 clearances, 9 interceptions, 7 blocked shots
- Shots on target (Betis): 12, none converted
Group F Implications
The victory lifts PAOK to eight points, placing them second in Group F behind Ajax, who sit on ten points. PAOK now needs just a point from their remaining two fixtures to secure a knockout‑round berth. Their unbeaten run in the Greek Super League adds confidence to their European campaign.
Conversely, Betis remain at the bottom of the group with a single point from their opening match. The defeat highlights defensive frailties and increases pressure ahead of their upcoming clash with Ajax.
Tactical Takeaways
Lucescu’s flexible 4‑2‑3‑1 proved effective, allowing PAOK to transition quickly from defence to attack. The midfield duo of Milanov and Koutsis shielded the back line while supplying incisive passes to the forwards. Betis will need to recalibrate their approach, possibly adding a more direct midfield presence to break PAOK’s compact shape.
Looking Ahead
PAOK’s next Europa League match is on 5 February at home against Ajax. A win or draw would virtually guarantee progression to the round of 32, while a loss would keep the door open but raise the stakes for the final group game against Betis.
Betis travel to Amsterdam for a decisive showdown with Ajax. A victory could spark a resurgence, but they must address their defensive issues to stay alive in the competition.
