Panathinaikos stunned Marseille on penalties to reach the Champions League play-off round on Tuesday, while Rangers teed up a clash with PSV Eindhoven.
Gabon international Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang wiped out Panathinaikos’ 1-0 first-leg lead in the third qualifying round with his first Marseille goal inside two minutes at the Stade Velodrome. The former Arsenal and Barcelona striker completed the turnaround in first-half added time by turning home his second goal from Jonathan Clauss’ low cross.
But there was a late twist, as just seconds after Matteo Guendouzi had seen a strong penalty appeal waved away, the Marseille midfielder was penalised for handball by VAR and Fotis Ioannidis dispatched the resulting 99th-minute spot-kick to force extra time. Vitinha had a goal ruled out by VAR for offside against Ismaila Sarr in the build-up as the Greeks held on for penalties.
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Filip Mladenovic stroked home the winning penalty as Panathinaikos won the shoot-out 5-3, with goalkeeper Alberto Brignoli’s earlier save from Guendouzi proving crucial. Panathinaikos will next face Braga, with the winners securing their first group-stage appearance in over a decade.
Meanwhile, James Tavernier’s second-half header helped Rangers edge past Swiss side Servette with a 1-1 second-leg draw and a 3-2 aggregate win. The Scottish giants, who conceded 22 goals in six defeats on their return to the group stage last season, saw their 2-1 first-leg lead cancelled out by Servette midfielder Dereck Kutesa.
But Tavernier struck to set up a play-off round rematch for Rangers against PSV Eindhoven, after their success against the Dutch team at the same stage last year. The first leg will be played next week in Glasgow.