PEC Zwolle vs AEK Athens FC — Match Details | Betmana

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AEK Athens FC

AEK Athens beat PEC Zwolle 3-2 in a pre-season friendly in Zwolle, with Barnabás Varga scoring two second-half headers to overturn a 2-1 deficit after Aboubakar Koita's first-half opener.

Match Videos

Zwolle - AEK 2-3 | Friendly Game Highlights (26/7/2026)

Match Analysis

AI Summary

How it unfolded

AEK controlled the first half without creating many clear chances. Luka Jović headed wide from a corner in the 24th minute, but the breakthrough came in the 33rd minute. Aboubakar Koita picked up the ball on the left flank, cut inside past two defenders and drilled a low shot that deflected off a body and into the net.

PEC Zwolle responded immediately with two enforced substitutions — Sherel Floranus and Ryan Thomas replacing N. Fichtinger and D. van der Haar — but went into half-time 1-0 down.

The home side came out firing after the restart. Van der Haar, who had briefly left the field, equalised in the 50th minute with a direct free-kick that deflected off the wall and wrong-footed Alberto Brignoli. Six minutes later, G. Reiziger put Zwolle ahead with a finish inside the box, completing a rapid turnaround.

AEK's response was swift. In the 68th minute, a flowing move down the right involving Zini, Lazaros Rota, Petros Mantalos and Răzvan Marin ended with Marin's cross finding Varga at the far post, who planted a header past the Zwolle goalkeeper to make it 2-2.

The winner arrived in the 87th minute from the same pattern. Rota delivered a cross from the right, and Varga again rose at the far post to head home and complete the comeback.

The turning point

Varga's 68th-minute equaliser arrived just 12 minutes after Zwolle had taken the lead. The quick response prevented the Dutch side from settling into a defensive shape and shifted the momentum decisively back to AEK. The repeat pattern for the winner — right-sided cross to the far post — highlighted a defensive vulnerability Zwolle could not correct.

Key performers

Barnabás Varga (AEK Athens) — Player of the match. Two identical far-post headers within 19 minutes turned a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 win. The Hungarian striker's movement in the box was the difference.

Aboubakar Koita (AEK Athens) — Opened the scoring with a fine individual goal, cutting inside from the left and beating two defenders before shooting. Created the first real moment of quality in an otherwise tight first half.

D. van der Haar (PEC Zwolle) — Scored the equaliser with a clever free-kick that deceived Brignoli via a deflection. His early substitution at 33 minutes was reversed by the 50th minute, suggesting a tactical or knock-related issue rather than a permanent withdrawal.

By the numbers — interpreted

The provider payload records five goals from 12 shots on target across both teams, indicating a clinical second half. AEK's three goals came from their first three shots on target in the second period, while Zwolle's two required seven minutes of sustained pressure early in the half. The critical stat is the assist pattern: both AEK goals after the break came from right-sided crosses aimed at the far post, a specific tactical instruction that produced two identical finishes.

AEK made five substitutions to Zwolle's two, with coach Matías Almeyda using the deep bench to rotate key players including Koita, Mantalos and Zubkov. Zwolle's early double change at 33 minutes — forced or tactical — limited their ability to respond late.

What it means

AEK conclude their Netherlands pre-season training camp with two wins from two friendlies — having beaten Groningen 2-1 on 18 July — and one more friendly scheduled against Samsunspor on 29 July before the 2026/27 Greek Super League season begins. PEC Zwolle continue their preparations for the Eredivisie campaign, with their next pre-season fixture to be confirmed.

Verdict

A genuine pre-season contest with two distinct halves — AEK controlled the first, Zwolle dominated the early second, and Varga's aerial prowess ultimately decided it. The Greek champions' ability to respond inside 12 minutes after falling behind suggests good fitness levels, while Zwolle's failure to defend the far post on consecutive crosses is a clear takeaway for their coaching staff.