In a match that was as one-sided as the scoreline suggests, PAOK triumphed over Larisa with a commanding 4-1 victory in the League Stage of the Greek Cup on October 29, 2025. The contest was held at an undisclosed venue, yet the atmosphere pulsed with excitement as PAOK showcased their offensive firepower and tactical superiority.
From the moment the whistle blew, PAOK set the tone. Just two minutes into the match, Luka Ivanušec found the back of the net, giving PAOK an early lead that would prove insurmountable for Larisa. The momentum swung further in PAOK's favor when Giannis Konstantelias doubled the score with a goal in the 12th minute. In a flurry of first-half action, Anestis Mythou added a third goal for PAOK in the 31st minute, putting Larisa in a precarious position before halftime.
The prediction made in my preview about PAOK leveraging their attacking strength turned out to be spot on, as they quickly dismantled the shaky defense of Larisa, who had been grappling with their form leading into this match. With PAOK emerging victorious in their prior four matches, their confidence was palpable, and they showed no signs of letting up.
The first half saw PAOK dominate possession and create numerous chances, leaving Larisa struggling to contain their relentless attack. The match briefly opened up when Kiril Despodov took a penalty kick in the 17th minute after being fouled in the box, but he failed to convert, missing his opportunity to extend the lead. However, the miss only seemed to inspire PAOK to push harder, and they quickly regained control.
Larisa, facing a mountain to climb, finally found some semblance of hope in the 75th minute when substitute Ľubomír Tupta scored their only goal of the match. It was a momentary reprieve for a team that has faced a string of challenges recently, with this result continuing a troubling pattern of inconsistent performances.
Despite the late goal, PAOK refused to ease off the gas, reflecting their intent to assert dominance in this competition. Their impressive showing bodes well for their ambitions to advance further in the Cup, especially considering their solid standing in the Super League and recent victories, including a standout game against Volos NFC just days prior.
As the final whistle blew, the scoreboard confirmed PAOK's emphatic victory, propelling them forward in the Cup with momentum from an already successful run in the league. Larisa, meanwhile, was left to grapple with their ongoing struggles, a stark contrast to their recent win against Panserraikos, which now feels like a distant memory.
With PAOK now looking forward to their next match against Aris Thessalonikis on December 3, they will aim to maintain their winning streak. Larisa, who will face Atromitos on the same day, must quickly regroup and address their defensive woes if they hope to revive their season. As it stands, the path forward is clear for PAOK, while Larisa must find their footing before their next challenge, lest they fall further behind in both their league and cup aspirations.