UEFA Europa League Play-offs
PAOK 5 - 0 FT HNK Rijeka
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
PAOK
Midfielders
M. Zlomislic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Majstorovic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
S. Radeljic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Devetak
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Lasickas
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Petrovic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
T. Dantas
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Orec
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
L. Menalo
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
N. Jankovic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
T. Fruk
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
BENCH
A. Todorovic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
V. Kovac
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
L. Kitin
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Cop
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
G. Rukavina
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Gojak
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
S. Ilinkovic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Thaqi
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
S. Butic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
B. Bogojevic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Husic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Juric
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
HNK Rijeka
Midfielders
J. Pavlenka
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Kenny
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
T. Kedziora
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
G. Michailidis
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. R. Baba
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
S. Meite
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Ozdoev
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
K. Despodov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
G. Konstantelias
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Zivkovic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
F. Chalov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
BENCH
L. Gugeshashvili
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Tsiftsis
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Camara
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Lovren
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
G. Giakoumakis
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Pelkas
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Taison
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
L. Ivanusec
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Sastre
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
G. Taylor
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Tsopouroglou
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Chatsidis
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/21/2025 | HNK Rijeka | 1 - 0 | PAOK | UEFA Europa League | Stadion Rujevica |
| 08/26/2021 | HNK Rijeka | 0 - 2 | PAOK | UEFA Europa Conference League | Stadion HNK Rijeka |
| 08/19/2021 | PAOK | 1 - 1 | HNK Rijeka | UEFA Europa Conference League | Stadio Toumbas |
PAOK Win
HNK Rijeka Win
Draw
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
PAOK's Five-Goal Masterclass Obliterates Rijeka's European Dream
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 60/100. An emphatic five-goal demolition at Toumba Stadium saw PAOK completely obliterate their first-leg deficit and ruthlessly punch their ticket to the main competition.
Opening Act
Trailing 1-0 on aggregate after L. Menalo's decisive strike in the first leg, PAOK knew the Stakes were immense stepping onto the pitch at Toumba Stadium. The home side wasted no time erasing HNK Rijeka's narrow advantage with a blistering start. Just 12 minutes in, S. Meite latched onto an incisive pass from A. Zivkovic to level the tie overall. This vital early breakthrough shifted the Balance entirely in favour of the Greek side, sending the passionate home crowd into an absolute frenzy. Relentless in their suffocating high press, the hosts struck again in the 25th minute. G. Konstantelias finished off a brilliant setup from Meite, putting the hosts ahead on aggregate and leaving the visitors completely shell-shocked before the half-time whistle.
The Pivot
HNK Rijeka needed a dramatic response to salvage their European campaign, but the Greek wall held completely firm against their disjointed attacks. The definitive blow landed in the 56th minute when F. Chalov buried a pristine chance orchestrated by the tireless Konstantelias. Facing a sudden two-goal aggregate deficit, the visitors completely lost their tactical discipline and defensive composure. The Intensity boiled over in the 71st minute when Ante Majstorović committed a reckless foul and saw a straight red card, reducing his struggling squad to ten men. Any lingering hope of an unlikely Croatian comeback instantly evaporated as they fought merely to contain the suffocating wave of black-and-white shirts swarming the pitch. The numerical disadvantage turned a difficult task into an impossible mountain to climb.
Resolution
Operating with a clear man advantage, the final quarter of the match turned into an absolute procession. The hosts controlled possession and transformed the final third into a shooting gallery, racking up a massive 16 total shots while completely suppressing any counter-attacks. G. Giakoumakis added a ruthless fourth goal in the 77th minute, capitalizing on yet another superb Konstantelias assist. The final insult came in the 89th minute when D. Pelkas tapped in easily from a Taison pass, capping off a spectacular 5-0 masterclass. There was no room for an Upset here—just a dominant, awe-inspiring display that sent PAOK storming into the main competition and left Rijeka's continental dreams in utter ruins.
Key Questions
How did the red card for Ante Majstorović impact the match?
With Rijeka already trailing 3-0, Majstorović's 71st-minute dismissal shattered their defensive structure, allowing PAOK to easily exploit the numerical advantage and score two more goals.
What caused the 5-goal thriller?
PAOK's relentless attack, highlighted by 13 shots on target, completely overwhelmed Rijeka. Early goals erased the aggregate deficit, and a red card opened the floodgates late on.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
PAOK's European Ambitions Hang by a Thread
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 34/100. Down a goal after the first leg, PAOK must channel the famous Toumba Stadium atmosphere to avoid an early continental exit.
The Setup
The equation is simple for PAOK. Overturn a 1-0 aggregate deficit against HNK Rijeka or crash out of the UEFA Europa League play-offs. L. Menalo's first-leg strike means the Croatian side arrives holding all the cards. While this tie suffers from a modest Stars rating with few household names on display, the Stakes are massive: survival in Europe. PAOK bring solid domestic momentum, showcasing a decent Form rating backed by a habit of high-scoring games—averaging 3.4 goals combined in their recent outings. But European knockout football demands more than just attacking intent.
Key Battle
With G. Giakoumakis and F. Chalov providing the firepower, the home side's attacking unit faces a massive test against a stubborn away back line. Rijeka only need a draw to advance, meaning they will sit deep and absorb pressure. The crucial Balance of this match hinges on whether C. Zafeiris can successfully pull the strings in midfield to break through the Croatian low block.
Our Prediction
Expect a tense, frustrating night for the hosts. PAOK will dominate possession, but Rijeka's defensive shape will hold firm. A 1-1 draw on the night sends the visitors through on aggregate.