{"id":12285,"date":"2026-08-12T09:35:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-12T06:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/tz\/news\/?p=12285"},"modified":"2026-08-12T12:20:41","modified_gmt":"2026-08-12T09:20:41","slug":"nec-nijmegen-beat-olympiacos-2-1-in-champions-league-qualifier","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/tz\/news\/nec-nijmegen-beat-olympiacos-2-1-in-champions-league-qualifier\/","title":{"rendered":"NEC Nijmegen Beat Olympiacos 2-1 in Champions League Qualifier\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

NEC Nijmegen moved to within one tie of a historic first appearance in the UEFA Champions League main draw<\/strong> after defeating Olympiacos 2-1 following extra time at the Goffertstadion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first leg in Greece ended goalless, the return encounter produced all the drama expected from Champions League qualifying. Ayoub El Kaabi<\/strong> put Olympiacos ahead shortly after half-time, but Bryan Linssen<\/strong> restored parity before substitute Emre Mor<\/strong> struck the decisive goal in extra time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The result sends NEC into a crucial playoff against Bod\u00f8\/Glimt<\/strong>, with a coveted place in the Champions League Phase awaiting the winner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEC Refuse to Be Intimidated by Olympiacos’ European Pedigree<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On paper, European experience heavily favored Olympiacos. While NEC were playing just their second match at this stage of the Champions League, the Greek giants had accumulated considerably more experience on Europe’s biggest stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That difference was barely noticeable once the action started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEC approached the contest confidently and created the game’s first major opportunity through Tjaronn Chery<\/strong>. His effort from an extremely tight angle forced goalkeeper Bal\u0161a Popovi\u0107<\/strong> into a save that pushed the ball against the crossbar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chery later dragged another attempt wide as NEC looked the more threatening side during a first half frequently interrupted by fouls and injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both teams were also forced into changes, with NEC losing Sami Ouaissa and Philippe Sandler<\/strong> to injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Olympiacos struggled to create meaningful opportunities before the break, although Gelson Martins<\/strong> finally tested the hosts late in the half. NEC goalkeeper Gonzalo Crettaz<\/strong> reacted quickly to close him down and keep the tie scoreless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"NEC
Photo Courtesy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ayoub El Kaabi Gives Olympiacos a Dream Start<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whatever Olympiacos discussed during the interval had an immediate effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Less than a minute after the restart, the visitors were ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gustavo S\u00e1<\/strong> produced excellent work inside the penalty area, beating his defender before delivering a dangerous low ball across goal. Crettaz managed to get a hand to it but could only divert the ball towards Ayoub El Kaabi<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Moroccan striker needed no second invitation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

El Kaabi calmly tapped into the empty net to make it 1-0 to Olympiacos<\/strong>, suddenly putting NEC’s Champions League ambitions under serious pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bryan Linssen Brings NEC Back Into the Tie<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For a while, NEC struggled to find an immediate response. Then the introduction of Emre Mor<\/strong> changed the rhythm of the contest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lively substitute tested Popovi\u0107 from distance before the Olympiacos goalkeeper produced another impressive intervention to deny Bryan Linssen<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Linssen would not be stopped twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Du\u0161an Tadi\u0107<\/strong> unlocked the Olympiacos defense with an inch-perfect pass, allowing the NEC striker to finish confidently and make it 1-1<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Goffertstadion erupted, and suddenly the momentum belonged firmly to the Dutch hosts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"NEC
Photo Courtesy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Red Card Turns the Contest Against Olympiacos<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Olympiacos’ situation became significantly more difficult with a little over 10 minutes of normal time remaining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kostas Fortounis<\/strong> caught Darko Neja\u0161mi\u0107<\/strong> with a high challenge. Following a VAR review, the referee upgraded the incident to a red card, reducing Olympiacos to 10 men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEC immediately sensed an opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They appeared to have completed the turnaround in the fourth minute of stoppage time when Kaj Sierhuis<\/strong> guided a header into the net. Celebrations were cut short, however, after Emre Mor was ruled offside in the build-up<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the score still level, the decisive Champions League qualifier headed into extra time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Emre Mor Becomes NEC’s Extra-Time Hero<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having already transformed NEC’s attacking threat after coming from the bench, Mor eventually delivered the moment that separated the two teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEC dominated the early stages of extra time, taking advantage of their numerical superiority and forcing Olympiacos deeper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mor first fired an opportunity over the crossbar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His next major chance ended very differently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Turkish attacker found himself in the right position close to goal and finished from close range to put NEC 2-1 ahead<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Olympiacos attempted to respond in the remaining minutes of extra time, but NEC’s defense held firm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the final whistle arrived, it confirmed one of the biggest European results in the Dutch club’s history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"NEC
Photo Courtesy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

NEC Nijmegen vs Olympiacos: Key Match Moments<\/h2>\n\n\n\n