Viktoria Plzeň faced Panathinaikos Athens in a crucial knockout round match of the UEFA Europa League but were ultimately eliminated after a dramatic penalty shootout. The game ended 1-1 after 90 minutes and extra time, with Andreas Tetteh putting the Greek side ahead early in the match, only for Karel Spáčil to equalize in the second half. This result followed a 2-2 draw in the first leg, leading to the penalties where Plzeň could not secure victory.

This defeat marks a significant moment for Plzeň, who hoped to advance to the round of 16 for the fifth time in their history, and the second consecutive year. The team had entered this match with an impressive unbeaten record in the tournament but could not maintain this streak against the experienced Greek side. The penalty shootout saw Plzeň convert three penalties while Panathinaikos successfully netted four.

The match demonstrated the competitive nature of European football, with Plzeň struggling to overcome Panathinaikos despite a solid effort throughout the match. As the team exits the tournament, they reflect on their strong performance in the group stages but will be disappointed not to get past a challenging opponent. This loss underscores the challenges faced by teams in the knockout phases of Europe’s top competitions, where experience and composure in high-pressure situations often dictate the outcome.