PAOK W beat Neftçi Bakı 3-0 in the UWCL first qualifying round final. Minela Gacanica scored twice, Argyriou opened the scoring. PAOK advance to face Ferencváros.
Match Videos
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow it unfolded
PAOK took control inside nine minutes. Efthimia Brame delivered from the left and Panagiota Argyriou finished from close range to put the Greek side ahead early.
The match turned decisively inside a frantic two-minute spell just past the half-hour. Neftçi's V. Seyfaddinova was booked in the 32nd minute, followed immediately by B. Kocatürk in the 33rd — both for fouls that broke up PAOK attacking moves. From the second foul, referee Oxana Cruc pointed to the spot. Gacanica stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, doubling the lead in the 34th minute.
PAOK carried that 2-0 advantage into the break. The second half followed a similar pattern: PAOK controlled possession and created chances without ever being pressed. Gacanica struck again in the 63rd minute, finishing coolly after a build-up through the midfield, to complete a comfortable victory.
The turning point
The penalty award in the 34th minute. Neftçi had withstood the early goal and were beginning to find a foothold when two quick yellow cards — and the resulting spot-kick — effectively ended the contest. Going from 1-0 to 2-0 down with a player now on a tightrope changed the entire dynamic of the match.
Key performers
- Minela Gacanica (PAOK W) — Two goals (34' pen, 63'), the second a composed finish that sealed the tie. Her movement between the lines troubled Neftçi's defence throughout. Player of the match.
- Panagiota Argyriou (PAOK W) — Opened the scoring in the 9th minute and was a constant threat on the left flank before being substituted in the 75th minute.
- Efthimia Brame (PAOK W) — Provided the assist for the opener and dictated tempo from midfield. Her passing range was a key factor in PAOK's ability to break Neftçi's defensive shape.
By the numbers — interpreted
PAOK's 3-0 scoreline reflects a match that was more controlled than dominant. The Greek side struck early and never looked back, but the contest was effectively decided in a three-minute window around the half-hour mark: two yellow cards for Neftçi followed by a converted penalty. The second half was a formality — PAOK managing the game, Neftçi unable to create sustained pressure. The 490 spectators at Veria Stadium saw a professional, rather than spectacular, PAOK performance built on defensive solidity and clinical finishing in key moments.
What it means
PAOK advance to the UWCL second qualifying round, where they will face Ferencváros on 5 August 2026. It is the club's first appearance in the second qualifying round since 2021/22, marking a significant step forward for the Greek champions. Neftçi Bakı exit the competition after progressing through the semi-final against Lusso (2-0).
Verdict
PAOK did what was required — no more, no less. Gacanica's double settled a tie that could have been trickier had Neftçi avoided the two-minute disciplinary lapse that handed the Greek side a penalty and momentum. The second qualifying round against Ferencváros will be a sterner test.
Match Events
Key match events between PAOK W and Neftçi Bakı — 3 goals and 3 cards recorded during the match.
assist: E. Brame
Penalty
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 2 Aug 2026