Match summary and key moments
The first minutes were probing, with Aris enjoying slightly more possession and circulation. Giannoulis delivered a corner in the 15th minute that Kantevere could not direct past Pavlenka; Fabiano then struck a bicycle-kick effort that flew wide. From the 25th minute PAOK began to assert territorial control. In the 30th minute the decisive incident occurred: referee Colombo initially signalled a corner, but VAR summoned him to the monitor after Fabiano handled a shot from Ediaye inside the area. The Italian official awarded the penalty. Ediaye sent the ball down the centre to make it 1-0. Eight minutes later PAOK doubled the lead. Zafiris slipped the ball left to Tyson; the Brazilian’s cut-back deflected off Fabiano, Vellio parried, and Zivkovic finished into an empty net for 2-0. Both goals arrived inside ten minutes and effectively settled the contest before half-time. The source records that the opening period after the 25-minute mark saw PAOK gain the upper hand with immediate results on the scoreboard. The early phase had seen Aris create the game’s first shot through that 15th-minute corner routine, yet once PAOK settled they limited the visitors to speculative efforts and began to dictate tempo in midfield through Ugkresits and Zafiris.
Second-half chances and defensive display
PAOK almost added a third within a minute of the restart when Pelkas shot, Zafiris deflected the path, Vellio cleared and Zivkovic struck the post. Aris created their best opening in the 58th minute through a Gare-Kantevere combination, yet Racic’s finish lacked power and Costa cleared. Subsequent attempts from Ougresits and Pelkas were comfortably blocked by Vellio. After a long spell without threat, Aris produced a late header from Giannoulis in the 69th minute that cleared the crossbar. PAOK’s defence, anchored by Baba, Costa and Michailidis, limited Aris to low-quality opportunities after the interval and preserved the clean sheet. The source notes no further clear scoring chances for either side after the 69th minute. The visitors managed only one sustained spell of pressure in the second half, and even that ended with a routine save; thereafter the home side controlled the tempo by keeping possession in safe areas and forcing Aris to chase without success.
Referee decisions and Aris reaction
Colombo initially waved play on for the handball but reversed the decision after VAR review. Aris issued a statement during the match protesting that a foul on Ricardo Vellio preceded the penalty and that Kenny and Zafiris should have been sent off for challenges on Giannoulis and Racic. The league has issued no public response to the complaints. The same refereeing team oversaw the remainder of the fixture without further major interventions. The source indicates the Aris statement was released while the match was still in progress. No further disciplinary incidents required the referee’s attention once play resumed after the interval.
Standings and upcoming fixtures
The win lifts PAOK to second place with nine points after four matches. Aris stay seventh with six points. PAOK travel to Panetolikos on 20 September at 21:00, while Aris host Iraklis the previous evening at 19:30 in the Kleanthis Vikelidis stadium. The source confirms these are the scheduled opponents for the fifth matchday. Both sides therefore enter the next round with clear objectives: PAOK seek to consolidate a top-two position while Aris aim to arrest a slide that has left them outside the European places.
Player performances
Andrija Zivkovic was identified as the standout performer, repeatedly troubling Aris’s defence and scoring the second goal that effectively sealed the points. Ediaye’s penalty was his first league goal for the club. Pavlenka recorded a clean sheet with only routine saves required. For Aris, Vellio made several interventions yet could not prevent the two goals conceded in quick succession before half-time. The source highlights Zivkovic as the number-one source of danger for the visitors’ goal. Tyson and Pelkas also contributed key moments in the build-up play, while the back line of Kenny, Baba, Costa and Michailidis restricted Aris to efforts from distance after the break.
Frequently asked questions
How did PAOK score the opening goal?
Ediaye converted a VAR-awarded penalty in the 32nd minute after Fabiano handled a shot from Ediaye inside the area.
Who scored the second goal for PAOK?
Zivkovic finished from close range in the 42nd minute after a deflected cross from Tyson.
What was the reaction from Aris?
Aris released a statement protesting the penalty decision and claiming two PAOK players should have received red cards.
Where do both teams stand in the league?
PAOK moved to second place with nine points; Aris remain seventh with six points after four matches.
When are the next fixtures for both sides?
PAOK visit Panetolikos on 20 September; Aris host Iraklis on 19 September.
