Nigeria international Cyriel Dessers scored a dramatic extra-time winner as Panathinaikos defeated CSKA 1948 2-1 in Sofia to reach the UEFA Conference League play-off round.
Dessers struck in the 94th minute at the Vasil Levski National Stadium, restoring Panathinaikos’ lead just two minutes after Lasha Dvali had equalised for the Bulgarian hosts.
The victory secured a 3-2 aggregate win for Panathinaikos after the sides played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Athens on August 5.
Panathinaikos moved ahead in the 66th minute when Levi Garcia found the bottom corner from a difficult angle.
CSKA 1948 appeared to force the tie into extra time when Dvali equalised in the 92nd minute.
But Dessers had the final say.
The Nigerian striker reacted quickly inside the box and fired a right-footed effort into the bottom-left corner in the 94th minute to settle the contest and send Panathinaikos through.
The result completed a dramatic turnaround for the Greek side, who had been held to a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Olympic Stadium in Athens.
Adriano Jagusic had put Panathinaikos ahead in the 21st minute of that encounter, heading Santino Andino’s cross into the net.
CSKA 1948 levelled 10 minutes later through Georgi Rusev after a scramble inside the Panathinaikos penalty area.
The Greek side created chances to regain the lead, but CSKA goalkeeper Petar Marinov produced a strong save to deny De Vrij. Rusev also came close to putting the visitors ahead, while Gasevic struck the crossbar in the 82nd minute as the Bulgarian side finished strongly.
The first-leg draw left Panathinaikos needing to avoid defeat in Sofia to keep their European campaign alive.
They ultimately secured victory, overcoming Dvali’s late equaliser before Dessers delivered the decisive blow in extra time.
Panathinaikos will now face the Conference League play-off round, with Dessers’ goal proving crucial in a tie that remained undecided until the final stages.
Dessers Makes Decisive Return
The goal also marked an important moment in Dessers’ return from injury.
The Super Eagles forward resumed full training with Panathinaikos ahead of the 2026/27 season after spending about six months sidelined with a thigh injury.
His return has now been capped by a decisive European goal that kept Panathinaikos’ continental campaign alive.
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