- Joao Pedro netted a second-half penalty to give the visitors all three points
- AEK Athens were reduced to 10 men and couldn’t find a way back into the game
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The Greeks might be preparing to file this away with the Elgin Marbles and other perceived injustices at the hands of British visitors but Brighton will not care a jot.
Roberto De Zerbi‘s team left Athens with three points prised from a tight contest dominated for long periods by AEK and into the knock-out rounds with a group fixture to spare on their debut Europa League campaign.
Joao Pedro clinched the victory with his fifth goal in the competition and his fourth from the spot, a penalty won himself with a skilful jinking run with the help of the VAR who spotted a trip missed by referee Sandro Scharer.
It was the correct call, although cruel on the Greek champions who played well and wasted so many chances in the first half before finishing with 10 men because midfielder Mijat Gacinovic was sent off for a second yellow card 10 minutes after the goal.
Brighton were never entirely comfortable. They rode their luck at times in the first half but scrapped to protect their clean sheet. Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and centre-halves Lewis Dunk and Igor Julio were outstanding.
Joao Pedro celebrates scoring Brighton’s winning goal against AEK Athens on Thursday night
Pedro’s goal sealed Brighton’s place in the knockout stages of the Europa League
Captain Dunk led the celebrations with 1,600 jubilant travelling fans after the final whistle. ‘It is a historic night, one I will never forget,’ he said. ‘If you can’t celebrate the good times with your fans, when can you do it? It is a huge achievement for us.’
The only sour note were reports from Brighton fans on social that they were teargassed as scuffles broke out, after the match.
De Zerbi’s team has matured fast since losing their opening Europa League tie against AEK at the Amex Stadium in September. They suffered in Marseille and fought back from two down to take a point, and they beat Ajax twice.
Here, depleted by injuries and with Jack Hinshelwood, an 18-year-old midfielder making his European debut at left-back, they had to dig in and resist in hostile surroundings, then take their chance when it came.
‘We didn’t play well,’ said De Zerbi. ‘Athens were better than us but it was the first time in my time in Brighton we have won a game in this way. We didn’t play in our way but we played with great character, great soul and great passion.
‘Our group is one of the most tough in the Europa League. It is closer to a Champions League group.’
Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen had a busy evening but managed to keep a clean sheet
Jack Hinshelwood (pictured) became the youngest English player to start in the Europa League since Jude Bellingham in February 2022
Brighton started well enough. Evan Ferguson forced a double save from AEK goalkeeper Cican Stankovic within two minutes but the home side soon settled into their rhythm and began to dominate with Mexican playmaker Orbelin Pineda increasingly influential.
Vergbruggen made saves from Pineda and Steven Zuber, who also glanced a header wide and saw another effort deflected against a post by a desperate sliding block by Dunk. AEK headed the rebound over.
It was Pedro, however, who made the decisive contribution. ‘He can play better,’ said De Zerbi. ‘His potential is bigger than his performance today but he played in Brazil last week and has travelled a lot and he was tired but in terms of spirit and personality it is very tough to score a penalty in this stadium.’
Brighton’s task was made easier when Mijat Gacinovic was sent off for AEK Athens in the second half
There were passionate celebrations from Brighton’s players at full time
Roberto De Zerbi has guided his side into the knockout rounds with a game to spare
