Pafos 1-0 Villarreal: Hosts Claim Historic First Champions League Win
Cypriot champions Pafos achieved their first-ever victory in the main stage of the Champions League, surprising Villarreal with a 1-0 win. The team, founded just 11 years ago, has lost only once in their 10 competition matches this season, including qualifiers — that defeat came against Bayern Munich.
A Milestone for the Young Club
This victory marks another historic milestone for Pafos, led by former Arsenal assistant Juan Carlos Carcedo. Dutch defender Derrick Luckassen scored the decisive goal with an unmarked header in the 46th minute, capitalizing on a corner delivered by ex-Watford winger Ken Sema.
“Cyprus' president Nikos Christodoulides, a Pafos fan, reportedly missed the goal — taking his seat a minute after Luckassen had nodded in.”
Villarreal’s Missed Opportunities
Although Villarreal controlled much of the game and created several chances, they were repeatedly denied by Pafos goalkeeper Neofytos Michail. The Spanish side, currently third in La Liga, are still seeking their first European win of the season.
Home Ground and Origins
Pafos currently hosts their Champions League home games at the Alphamega Stadium in Limassol, about 40 miles away, as their own stadium fails to meet UEFA standards.
The club was established in 2014 following the merger of AEK Kouklia and AEP Paphos, themselves products of earlier local club mergers from 2000. Initially competing in the second division, Pafos moved between tiers until the 2017 acquisition by Roman Dubov, a Russian-born British businessman who previously co-owned Portsmouth in 2011.
Author’s Summary
Pafos' narrow 1-0 victory over Villarreal stands as a defining moment for the young Cypriot club, showcasing their rapid rise to European prominence under determined leadership.