AEK Athens qualified for the UEFA Champions League League Phase after defeating Bulgarian side Levski Sofia 4-0 at a packed Allwyn Arena.
The Greek club established a commanding 3-0 advantage inside the first 29 minutes through goals from Luka Jovic and Barnabas Varga, before Razvan Marin added a fourth from the penalty spot in the second half.
AEK signaled their intent inside the opening minute when Lovro Majer struck a shot that Levski goalkeeper Svetoslav Vutsov was forced to save with his feet. The early pressure paid off in the eighth minute when Lazaros Rota crossed from the right flank, allowing Jovic to head powerfully into the net for the opening goal.
The host team doubled their lead four minutes later. Majer delivered a cross into the penalty area, where Filipe Relvas flicked a header toward Varga, who directed a finished shot past Vutsov.
First half dominance
AEK continued to maintain control of the tempo and defensive structure under manager Marko Nikolic. Their third goal arrived in the 29th minute from a Majer corner kick, which Varga headed into the net following a poor defensive reaction from Vutsov.
The host side almost scored a fourth just a minute later. Majer saw a shot deflected into the path of Aboubakary Koita, who found himself one-on-one with Vutsov, but sent his finish wide of the target.
Levski Sofia struggled to generate responses as AEK maintained high defensive discipline. The visitors were unable to create scoring opportunities before the half-time whistle.
Second half penalty and control
AEK extended their advantage nine minutes after the restart. In the 54th minute, defender Rota embarked on a run across nearly the entire length of the pitch before passing to Jovic, who was brought down inside the penalty area by Aldair.
Marin stepped up to execute the resulting penalty in the 55th minute, converting cleanly to make the score 4-0. The goal prompted chants from the home supporters inside Allwyn Arena for Nikolic and his team.
Majer came close to scoring a fifth goal in the 60th minute when his direct strike from a corner kick hit the post. AEK created further chances throughout the final half-hour while preventing Levski from making a comeback.
Match details and European progress
AEK manager Marko Nikolic selected Thomas Strakosha in goal behind a defensive line of Rota, Harold Mukoudi, Relvas, and Stavros Pilios. Majer, Kaan Kairinen, Marin, and Koita formed the midfield, with Jovic and Varga starting up front. Nikolic introduced Petros Mantalos for Koita in the 72nd minute, while Oleksandr Zubkov replaced Majer and Zini replaced Varga in the 80th minute. Kervin Arriaga and Mijat Gacinovic entered in the 86th minute for Marin and Jovic.
Levski Sofia head coach Julio Velazquez started Vutsov in goal behind Aldair, Kristian Dimitrov, Serafimov, Sendeyas, Serginho, Moubarik, Maicon, Armstrong Oko-Flex, Everton, and Reinaldo. Velazquez made triple substitutions in the 63rd minute, bringing on Kouso for Maicon, Trinn for Everton, and Perea for Reinaldo. Soula replaced Oko-Flex in the 76th minute, and Mitkov came on for Serginho in the 81st minute.
The victory secures AEK Athens a place in the main stage of European club football's flagship competition, where they will join the 36-team Champions League League Phase. The club now awaits the official tournament draw to learn their upcoming European opponents.
