PAOK Thessaloniki secured a 3-2 victory against Dynamo Kyiv in the first leg of their Europa League second qualifying round matchup on July 23, 2026. The match, held at Arena Lublin in Poland, marked the first official game for PAOK under new head coach Alessio Lisci. The result provides the Greek side with a significant advantage heading into the return leg at Toumba Stadium, scheduled for July 30.
PAOK Secure 3-2 Victory Over Dynamo Kyiv in Europa League Qualifier
Early Setbacks and Tactical Response
The match began with a defensive challenge for PAOK, as Dynamo Kyiv took an early lead in the 3rd minute. Following a sequence involving Guerrero and Dubinchak, Volodymyr Brazhko scored with a powerful strike against goalkeeper Pavlenka. The situation became increasingly difficult for PAOK shortly thereafter when winger Taha Ali suffered a shoulder injury, forcing his substitution for Taison in the 13th minute.
Despite these setbacks, PAOK responded quickly. In the 13th minute, Giannis Konstantelias leveled the score after receiving a vertical pass from Zivkovic, beating the goalkeeper with a composed finish. The Greek side continued to press, and the match turned in their favor in the 38th minute. Following a flick from Konstantelias, Christos Zafeiris scored his first official goal for the club with a diagonal shot, giving PAOK a 2-1 lead at halftime.
Maintaining Momentum
PAOK extended their lead to 3-1 in the 51st minute when Baptiste Santamaria, one of the club’s recent signings, scored with a right-footed shot following an assist from Konstantelias.
The match remained under PAOK’s control until approximately the 70th minute, when Dynamo Kyiv began to increase their pressure. The Ukrainian side capitalized on this shift in momentum in the 77th minute, with Justin Lonwijk scoring to make it 3-2. The closing stages of the match were tense; Dynamo Kyiv hit the post in the 83rd minute through Ponomarenko, and PAOK goalkeeper Pavlenka was forced to make critical interventions in the final minutes. In the 95th minute, PAOK also hit the post through Camara.
Following the final whistle, a brief period of tension occurred between players from both sides near the PAOK supporters’ section, which was resolved by the intervention of staff and players.
Pathways and Player Status
Coach Alessio Lisci utilized several new signings in his starting lineup, including Hatzidiakos, Santamaria, and Taha Ali. Regarding Ali’s injury, Lisci indicated that the player would undergo medical examinations upon the team’s return to Thessaloniki, noting that Ali would miss the upcoming second leg.
The winner of this two-legged tie will advance to the third qualifying round of the Europa League to face the winner of the Hammarby (Sweden) versus Anderlecht (Belgium) pairing. The team that is eliminated will move to the third qualifying round of the Europa League’s associated path in the Conference League, where they will face the loser of the Qarabag (Azerbaijan) versus CSKA Sofia (Bulgaria) tie.
Summary of Scoring
| Time | Scorer | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 3′ | Volodymyr Brazhko | Dynamo Kyiv |
| 13′ | Giannis Konstantelias | PAOK |
| 38′ | Christos Zafeiris | PAOK |
| 51′ | Baptiste Santamaria | PAOK |
| 77′ | Justin Lonwijk | Dynamo Kyiv |
*Sources: [IN](https://www.in.gr/2026/07/23/sports/football/ntinamo-kievou-paok-2-3-oi-thessalonikeis-evalan-ypografi-prokrisis-stin-polonia/), [Gazzetta.gr](https://www.gazzetta.gr/football/europa-league/2556451/alesio-lisi-thelame-ton-santamaria-den-mporo-na-po-gia-ali), [SPORT24](https://www.sport24.gr/opinions/to-skor-prokrisis-i-amesi-antidrasi-kai-oi-iposxeseis-tou-neou-paok-tou-lisi/), [ertnews.gr](https://www.ertnews.gr/athlitismos/europa-league-podariko-me-to-deksi-o-paok-3-2-me-anatropi-ti-ntinamo-kievou-stin-polonia/), [NewsIT](https://www.newsit.gr/athlitika/ntinamo-kievou-paok-i-entasi-metaksy-ton-paikton-ton-dyo-omadon-meta-to-telos-tis-anametrisis/), [news247.gr](https://www.news247.gr/athlitika/ntinamo-kievou-paok-2-3-foul-gia-prokrisi-me-korifaious-konstantelia-kai-zafeiri/), [msn.com](https://www.msn.com/el-gr/news/other/%CE%BD%CF%84%CE%B9%CE%BD%CE%B1%CE%BC%CF%8C-%CE%BA%CE%B9%CE%AD%CE%B2%CE%BF%CF%85-%CF%80%CE%B1%CE%BF%CE%BA-2-3-%CE%α%CF%80%CE%BF%CF%83%CF%84%CE%BF%CE%BB%CE%AE-%CE%B5%CE%BE%CE%B5%CF%84%CE%B5%CE%BB%CE%AD%CF%83%CE%B8%CE%B7-%CE%BC%CE%B5-%CE%B4%CF%81%CE%AC%CF%83%CF%84%CE%B7-%CF%84%CE%BF%CE%BD-%CE%BA%CF%89%CE%BD%CF%83%CF%84%CE%B1%CE%BD%CF%84%CE%AD%CE%BB%CE%B9%CE%B1-%CF%83%CF%84%CE%B7%CE%BD-%CF%80%CF%81%CF%8E%CF%84%CE%B7-%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%85-%CE%B1%CE%BB%CE%AD%CF%83%CE%B9%CE%BF-%CE%BB%CE%AF%CF%83%CE%B9-%CE%B2%CE%AF%CE%BD%CF%84%CE%B5%CE%BF/ar-AA28y6d4)*
Sources: IN.
Discover more from Archyworldys
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.