In a match that showcased both tenacity and drama, AEK Athens clawed back from a two-goal deficit to defeat Kifisia, 3-2, with a last-gasp penalty at Peristeri Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The result sent a clear signal to title rivals: AEK, even when undermanned and under pressure, remains a force to be reckoned with in the Super League 1.

Kifisia, chasing only their second win of the campaign, began in buoyant fashion. It took just 14 minutes for their confidence to manifest on the scoreboard. Alexander Tetteh, timing his run perfectly, latched onto a precise through ball from Pantelis Pantelidis and calmly slotted past the AEK goalkeeper to reward the early endeavors of the hosts. Peristeri was rocking, and Kifisia sought to capitalize on their momentum.

AEK, meanwhile, was showing signs of anxiety—two of their players, Harold Moukoudi and Thomas Strakosha, picked up yellow cards in the opening six minutes, a stark reflection of their early disarray. Kifisia continued to press, and in the 29th minute, Pantelidis doubled the lead, this time the scorer rather than the supplier. His low drive from the edge of the area left the visiting defense helpless, and the crowd sensed a potential upset.

Yet, AEK Athens, reigning league champions and seasoned campaigners, were not to be dispatched so easily. Gradually, they wrested control of midfield, orchestrated by captain Petros Mantalos, who stamped his authority on proceedings even as emotions threatened to spill over—yellow cards punctuated the remainder of a heated first half.

Just before halftime, AEK’s response materialized. Mantalos picked the lock of the Kifisia defense and found Dimitris Kaloskamis, who made no mistake with his finish in the 44th minute. The goal provided a lifeline, cutting the gap in half and sending AEK into the break with renewed hope.

But drama was only just beginning. The second half opened with an abrupt twist: AEK fullback Francisco Relvas was shown a straight red card in the 48th minute for a reckless challenge, reducing the visitors to 10 men with more than 40 minutes still to play. The disadvantage might have proved fatal for lesser sides. For AEK, it became the catalyst for a rousing fightback.

Led by substitute Orbelin Pineda, AEK surged forward with purpose. Their equalizer arrived on the hour mark, when Lucas Jovic finished off a sweeping move, turning in a clever ball from Dennis Kutesa to bring the scores level at 2-2. Suddenly, the weight of expectation shifted, and Kifisia found themselves retreating under a wave of yellow-and-black shirts.

Kifisia, for their part, sought to regain their composure with a flurry of substitutions, introducing Rúben Perez and Jairo Pombo to steady their midfield. The match turned combative, with both benches making tactical changes amid a flurry of yellow cards—by the end, 10 had been shown in total. Both sides pressed for a winner as the game moved into stoppage time.

It was in the dying embers that AEK found their crowning moment. With the clock deep into added time, a jinking run into the box forced Kifisia’s Alberto Botia into a clumsy challenge. The referee wasted no time in pointing to the spot. The responsibility fell to Răzvan Marin, who dispatched the penalty with ice-cold composure in the 92nd minute. His finish sparked wild celebrations in the away end and sent AEK’s supporters into rapture.

For Kifisia, the final whistle was met with bitter disappointment. A brave performance had come agonizingly close to yielding a famous result, only for defensive lapses and late drama to cost them dearly.

The victory keeps AEK near the summit of the Super League 1 table and illustrates both their resilience and ability to prevail under duress. For Kifisia, the performance offered encouragement but also a reminder of the fine margins that separate triumph from heartbreak at the upper tiers of Greek football.

As AEK look ahead to the next phase with momentum firmly on their side, they do so knowing that even on a day when events went awry—a two-goal deficit, a man down—they could still find a way to win. In this league, that is a hallmark not just of contenders, but of champions.