Olympiacos have won the UEFA Europa Conference League after beating Fiorentina in a tense final in Athens.
The two teams were tied scoreless at the end of 90 minutes with the game going to extra time.
Just as penalties seemed looming, Ayoub El Kaabi stepped up and with his 11th goal of the tournament in just nine games, won the title for his team.
An 116th minute goal by the Moroccan meant that Olympiacos become the first ever Greek team to win a European trophy.
Olympiacos players celebrating
Reuters
The ball was crossed in from the left by Santiago Hezze and Ayoub El Kaabi – the competition’s top scorer – beat the defender to the ball and headed it in.
After a very, very lengthy VAR check, the goal was given and the Red and White fans went absolutely mad!
The bench emptied with substitutes and the coaching staff all running onto the pitch to celebrate with their teammates.
The game restarted with just a few minutes left to play before the fourth official put up the board showing five minutes of added time in extra time.
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Olympiacos managed to navigate the following few minutes and when the referee blew the final whistle, the stadium – predominantly filled with Olympiacos fans erupted.
The game was very balanced and nervy, with both sides having opportunities to score, but not necessarily seeing one team dominate.
The first half saw the Italian side have a better control of the game, while the second half saw the Greeks in command.
However at no point did it seem like one team was much better than the other.
Olympiacos players went crazy at the end of extra time
Reuters
Olympiacos came close with a header by Vicente Iborra in the second half, as well as a header by Daniel Podence in the first half.
Stefan Jovetic saw his shot finely saved by Pietro Terracciano in extra time.
Fiorentina also had good opportunities, with Giacomo Bonaventura twice being stopped by Konstantinos Tzolakis.
Christian Kouame arguably had the best chance for the Italians, but he scuffed his shot from the edge of the penalty area and Tzolakis stuck up a right hand to parry it for a corner.
Ultimately it was the Greek side that managed to break the deadlock and made sure that Athens will not sleep tonight.
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