A stoppage-time goal by late substitute Ahmed Hassan gave Olympiakos a 1-0 win over 1993 European Cup winner Olympique Marseille in their Champions League Group C match in Piraeus on Wednesday.
The 27-year-old Egyptian, also known as Koka, came off the bench to make a significant impact for Pedro Martins’ men at Karaiskakis Stadium.
The Greek champions held the initiative for most of the match at Giorgos Karaiskakis stadium and had a goal disallowed by video review earlier in the second half before Hassan finally delivered a powerful header to beat goalkeeper Steve Mandanda after Mathieu Valbuena’s cross.
“This is a special night for me. It’s my first game in the Champions League and I scored a goal,” Hassan said after the match.
“It is five years ago to the day that I lost my father so I dedicate this game to him. I am very happy but am also filled with emotion.”
Marseille defender Jordan Amavi said the French club were not aggressive enough in the game.
“We weren’t aggressive enough. I think that was key for us,” Marseille defender Jordan Amavi said.
“We woke up in the game too late. We did have chances. But in the end, we didn’t do enough to create anything concrete.”