Cvetkovic’s Early Strike Gives Anderlecht 1-0 Win Over PAOK in Europa League Qualifier

Cvetkovic Strike Gives Anderlecht Win at PAOK

Anderlecht defeated PAOK 1-0 at Toumba Stadium in the UEFA Europa League 3rd Qualifying Round on Thursday, August 6, 2026. M. Cvetkovic’s goal in the opening minute decided the match, while PAOK’s missed penalty before half-time proved a major turning point.

Early Goal Shapes the Match

The match was shaped immediately when Cvetkovic put Anderlecht ahead after just one minute. E. Llansana provided the assist, giving the Belgian side the perfect start and forcing PAOK to respond from behind almost instantly.

The early goal also allowed Anderlecht to protect their advantage for the remainder of the first half. PAOK entered the match with two consecutive wins in their recent form, but they were unable to turn that momentum into an equaliser during the opening stages.

Michailidis Misses Crucial Penalty

PAOK were handed a significant opportunity to level the score in the 36th minute when G. Michailidis missed a penalty. The incident was particularly costly because Anderlecht’s lead was still only one goal, leaving the hosts with a clear route back into the contest.

Instead, Anderlecht reached half-time still ahead by the same margin. The missed spot kick became the defining moment of PAOK’s attacking effort, as the Greek side went into the interval trailing 1-0 despite having had the chance to reset the match before the break.

Disciplinary Moments After the Break

The second half featured several disciplinary moments as the match became more tightly managed. Anderlecht’s M. N’Diaye was booked in the 56th minute, followed two minutes later by a yellow card for Llansana, who had earlier contributed the assist for the winning goal.

PAOK also collected cautions as they tried to find a way through. P. Hatzidiakos was booked in the 38th minute, A. Elustondo received a yellow card in the 86th, and Anderlecht’s D. Sikan was cautioned in the 90th minute.

Anderlecht Take Control of the Tie

Anderlecht preserved their narrow advantage through the closing stages to complete a 1-0 victory away from home. The result gave them the stronger position in the qualifying tie, while PAOK were left to reflect on an early concession and the missed penalty.

The outcome also ended PAOK’s two-match winning run, whereas Anderlecht followed their recent draw and win with another positive result. No current standings data was available for either team, so the direct impact on their league positions cannot be assessed, but Anderlecht finished the night with the important first-leg advantage.