Dila Gori 0–4 Apollon Limassol FC
UEFA Europa Conference League – Qualifying Round
July 24, 2026

Match Overview

Apollon Limassol FC delivered a stunning away performance at the Tengiz Burjanadze Stadium, crushing Georgian side Dila Gori 4–0 in the first leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying tie. The Cypriot side was clinical from start to finish, leaving the home crowd in shock with a dominant display that all but sealed their progression to the next round.

First Half Dominance

Apollon wasted little time imposing themselves. Inside the opening 15 minutes, they had already carved out two clear chances. The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute when a swift counter‑attack ended with midfielder Loizos Loizou slotting home from just inside the box. Dila Gori struggled to cope with the visitors’ pace on the flanks, and just before half‑time, the lead was doubled. A well‑worked corner was headed in by defender Vangelis Economou, leaving the Georgian side with a mountain to climb.

Second Half Rout

Apollon continued to press after the restart. In the 58th minute, forward Mahmoud Shaban made it 3–0 with a composed finish after a defensive mix‑up in the Dila backline. The fourth goal arrived in the 73rd minute: a long‑range strike from substitute Andreas Panayiotou that curled into the top corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance. Dila offered little resistance, managing only one shot on target throughout the match.

Standout Performers

• Loizos Loizou (Apollon) – Scored the opener and was a constant menace with his dribbling.
• Andreas Panayiotou (Apollon) – Came off the bench to score a stunning fourth goal.
• Vangelis Economou (Apollon) – Solid at the back and dangerous from set pieces.

Match Impact

Apollon Limassol take a commanding 4–0 lead into the second leg at home, making the return fixture a formality. Dila Gori will need a miracle to overturn the deficit, but the focus will now be on restoring pride in the second leg. The result also boosts Apollon’s coefficient points for Cyprus, while Dila face an early exit from the competition.