Anderlecht produced a dramatic late show at the Lotto Park to edge past PAOK Saloniki 3-2 in an absorbing UEFA Europa League qualifier, keeping their hopes of reaching the group stage alive with a one-goal advantage to take to Thessaloniki next week.

On a humid Brussels night, the Belgian hosts twice trailed against a disciplined PAOK side but found a second wind in the final quarter-hour, turning a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead that sets up a tense return leg. The result leaves the tie perfectly poised, with Anderlecht’s two away goals meaning a draw in Greece would be enough for the Purple & White to progress.

Match Overview

From the opening whistle, the match carried the intensity of a European knockout tie. Anderlecht dominated possession in the first half, but PAOK looked dangerous on the counter-attack and struck first through a well-worked breakaway. The home side responded quickly with an equaliser, only for the Greek champions to regain the lead early in the second half. Just as the visitors began to manage the game and frustrate the home crowd, Anderlecht’s substitutes injected fresh energy and turned the tie on its head with two late goals.

Key Moments

• PAOK take the lead (23’): A swift counter-attack saw Andrija Živković pick out Taison in the left channel; his low cross was turned in by Mbwana Samatta at the near post.
• Anderlecht equalise (41’): A clever corner routine found Yari Verschaeren, whose curling effort from the edge of the box beat PAOK goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski.
• PAOK edge ahead again (58’): After a defensive mix-up, Konstantinos Koulierakis rose highest from a corner to head PAOK into a 2-1 lead.
• Anderlecht’s late turnaround (77’): Substitute Anders Dreyer cut inside from the right and unleashed a left-footed strike into the far corner.
• Winner in stoppage time (90+1’): Dreyer turned provider, sliding through for Kasper Dolberg, who rounded Kotarski and rolled the ball into an empty net.

Tactical Story

Anderlecht’s head coach Jesper Fredberg opted for a 3-4-2-1 shape designed to overload PAOK’s midfield, but the Belgian side struggled to break down a deep five-man defensive block for long periods. PAOK, under their pragmatic manager, were happy to sit in and spring forward through the pace of Samatta and the craft of Taison. Their plan worked for 75 minutes, but the introduction of Dreyer and Dolberg changed the dynamic. The extra width and direct running pulled PAOK’s centre-backs out of position, creating the space for the equaliser and the winning goal. PAOK’s failure to press Anderlecht's deep midfield late in the game proved costly.

Standout Players

Anders Dreyer (Anderlecht): The Danish winger made an immediate impact from the bench, scoring one goal and assisting the winner within 15 minutes of his introduction. His directness was the difference.

Yari Verschaeren (Anderlecht): The Belgian international was the creative hub all night, covering every blade of grass and scoring a stunning equaliser that kept his side in the contest.

Andrija Živković (PAOK): The Serbian winger was a constant threat on the break and delivered the assist for PAOK's opening goal, showing why he remains one of the most dangerous wide players in the competition.

Season and Competition Impact

The result gives Anderlecht a slender advantage ahead of the second leg at the Toumba Stadium on August 20. In the UEFA Europa League, away goals no longer carry extra weight, but a win by any scoreline or a draw in Greece would see the Brussels side progress to the play-off round. PAOK, meanwhile, will take heart from scoring twice in Brussels and will fancy their chances in front of their passionate home support. The winner of this tie moves one step closer to a spot in the UEFA Europa League group stage, with the draw for the league phase scheduled for later in August.

For Anderlecht, this victory extends their unbeaten run at home in European competition to six matches. For PAOK, the challenge is clear: they must avoid defeat at the Toumba while improving on a defensive display that unravelled in the closing stages. With so much at stake, the return leg promises to be another compelling European night.