Iraklis and Atromitos drew 1-1 at the Panthessaliko on Friday in a match repeatedly interrupted by VAR reviews and shots off the woodwork. Atromitos took an early lead but were unable to record their first win of the season after Iraklis equalised, and the scoreline held until the final whistle.
Atromitos were the sharper side from the start. In the 20th minute, Kristoffer Tsuber failed to turn the ball home from close range after a cutback from Sander Uronen, but the visitors did not have to wait long to break through.
Opening goal survives VAR check
In the 21st minute, Giannis Lyratzis crossed from the right and the ball fell to Alexandros Tsiloulis, who finished with a low shot into the net. The goal was initially disallowed but was awarded after a VAR review confirmed Tsiloulis had been onside, putting Atromitos 1-0 up.
Atromitos, nicknamed the Peristeriotes after their Athens suburb of Peristeri, remained the better team for the rest of the first half and into the second. In the 56th minute, Tsuber struck the crossbar with a powerful effort.
Disallowed goal without goal-line technology
Two minutes later, Iraklis thought they had equalised. Michael Nize crossed from the left, Ivi Lopez shot, and the ball struck the underside of the crossbar before appearing to bounce down over the line. The assistant referee and VAR ruled that the ball had not fully crossed the line, and in the absence of goal-line technology at the stadium, the referee let the decision stand. The score remained 1-0.
Iraklis, coached by the Italian Walter Mazzarri, kept pressing forward. In the 73rd minute, Cristian Ros played a well-weighted vertical pass to Pedro Marques, who finished calmly to make it 1-1.
Stoppage-time drama
Both sides pushed for a winner as the game entered stoppage time, turning the closing minutes into a thriller. In the 94th minute, Iraklis appeared to score again through Pedro Marques, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review found that Charalampos Kousta had committed a foul in making the headed pass that set up the chance.
Three minutes later, Atromitos also came close. Sergio hit the crossbar with a header after a cross from Tsuber on the left. Neither team could find a winner, and the match ended 1-1, with both sides taking a point.
Lineups
Iraklis lined up with Alexandros Athanasiadis in goal, along with Alexandros Vouros, Nuno Pina, Cristian Ros, Facundo Soria, Georgios Nanou, Franck Kaboue, Panagiotis Sourlis, Michael Nize, Kevin Mier and Ante Kolic, with substitutes including Pedro Marques, Ivi Lopez and Kousta introduced during the game. Atromitos fielded Konstantinos Choutesiotis in goal behind Giannis Lyratzis, Sander Uronen, Christos Stavropoulos, Erik Magnusson, Falaye Moutousami, Cheikh Mountes, Panagiotis Tsigaras, Tsiloulis, Tsuber and Facundo Perea, with Sergio, Anastasios Pnevmonidis and other substitutes brought on later in the match. Atromitos are managed by Dusan Kerkez.
