Pafos FC Achieves Stunning Champions League Victory Over Villarreal
Cypriot champions Pafos FC pulled off a remarkable Champions League upset on Wednesday night, defeating Spanish side and former Europa League winners Villarreal 1-0 at Limassol’s Alphamega Stadium.
Dutch centre-back Derrick Luckassen scored the only goal, heading in a corner from Ken Sema just after the break. This goal sent nearly 8,000 fans at the Alphamega Stadium into wild celebration.
Historical Win
This marks Pafos FC’s first victory in the Champions League group stage and the first time any Cypriot club has beaten a Spanish team in Europe’s top competition.
Match Details and Reactions
President Nikos Christodoulides witnessed the game but missed the crucial goal as he had not returned from half-time refreshments when Luckassen scored. Villarreal applied pressure with 18 attempts on goal, but were unable to convert any, thanks to a determined Pafos defense and effective use of set-pieces.
"The victory sent the almost 8,000 Paphites packed into the Alphamega Stadium into pandemonium in the first minute of the second half."
"Villarreal had their chances to win the game, peppering Neofytos Michail’s net with 18 shots, but were wasteful in front of goal."
Summary
Pafos FC’s steadfast defense and opportunistic set-piece goal secured an unprecedented Champions League victory, highlighting their historic European breakthrough.
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