Panathinaikos advanced to the UEFA Conference League playoffs Tuesday after beating CSKA 1948 2-1 after extra time in Sofia.
Levi Garcia put Panathinaikos ahead in the 60th minute on his competitive debut for the Athens club, but Lasha Dvali equalized in the 87th, forcing the game into extra time.
Cyriel Dessers then struck five minutes into extra time to send Panathinaikos through. The Nigerian international pounced after CSKA 1948 goalkeeper Petar Marinov misjudged a cross from Filip Mladenovic, allowing Dessers to finish into an unguarded net.
The victory capped a tense night for Panathinaikos, which had controlled much of the game but was unable to protect its lead after Garcia’s opener. The Greek side held on under pressure late in extra time to secure its place in the playoff round.
The goal was particularly significant for Dessers, who scored for the first time in eight months.
