Taremi converts last-gasp spot-kick as Olympiacos rescues point at AEK
In a dramatic finish to one of Greek football’s biggest rivalries on Sunday night, Iranian striker Mahdi Taremi scored from the spot deep into stoppage time to help Olympiacos salvage a 1-1 draw away at AEK Athens, keeping pace with the home side and PAOK in the Super League title race.
The derby at the Allwyn Arena in Nea Filadelfia seemed destined to be won by AEK after Barnabás Varga headed the hosts into the lead in the 59th minute. The Hungarian striker rose well from a Razvan Marin corner to direct the ball past Olympiacos goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis, giving AEK what looked like a crucial advantage.
AEK continued to puswh for a second goal and even struck the crossbar, before Olympiacos was awarded a controversial penalty by the VAR in the 16th minute of added time.
Taremi stepped up to take the spot kick and calmly converted, securing a share of the points for the visitors.
The last-gasp equalizer took Taremi’s tally to 15 goals and four assists in 25 appearances across all competitions since the Iranian striker joined the club from Internazionale last summer.
The draw left AEK top of the Greek Super League standings with 45 points, one clear of PAOK and two above third-placed Olympiacos, with both chasers holding a game in hand.