UEL: Panathinaikos Thrash Young Boys 4-1 in UEFA Europa League

Anass Zaroury's hat-trick leads Panathinaikos to emphatic win

Panathinaikos secured a 4-1 win over Young Boys in the UEFA Europa League, with Anass Zaroury scoring a hat-trick in a dominant display.

Panathinaikos took control of the game from the onset, with Fotis Ioannidis' potential opportunity in the 2nd minute being a promising start...

Anass Zaroury's impressive hat-trick propelled Panathinaikos to a thrilling 4-1 victory over Young Boys in the UEFA Europa League's opening matchweek. This win marks a significant milestone for the Greek side, who had previously secured only two victories in their last 23 group or league phase matches in the competition.

The game's pivotal moment came early, as Panathinaikos scored four goals in a nine-minute salvo during the first half, effectively sealing the win. This dominant display not only showcased the team's prowess but also provided a much-needed boost after a disappointing domestic start.

 

Karol Świderski's opening goal showcased his instinctive play, as he skillfully redirected a misdirected shot from Tetê past Marvin Keller in the Young Boys goal.

The second goal was a testament to Anass Zaroury's power, as he hammered home a six-yard shot after the hosts failed to clear a near-post corner. This goal highlighted Zaroury's ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.

Anass Zaroury scored again just four minutes later, beating Marvin Keller for the second time. This time, the goal came after the hosts' goalkeeper weakly parried Anastasios Bakasetas' long-range shot into Zaroury's path. Despite the narrow angle and awkward bounce, Zaroury skillfully fired the ball home.

Zaroury. Hat-trick hero 🍀#UEL pic.twitter.com/X72MPFdcCx

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) September 25, 2025

The pace of the game was frenetic, with Panathinaikos scoring three goals in a nine-minute span. During this period, Young Boys had a goal disallowed, highlighting the intensity of the match. Despite continued threats from the Swiss side, their attempts at a response were consistently thwarted by poor finishing.

Young Boys briefly breathed new life into the match when Saidy Janko scored, firing a precise shot into the bottom corner past Alban Lafont, who was caught poorly positioned.

Despite this glimmer of hope, Giorgio Contini's team squandered three golden opportunities to level the score. Joël Monteiro blasted a six-yard shot high and wide, Darian Maleš volleyed wide from close range, and Christian Fassnacht had a goal-at-his-mercy chance denied by a last-ditch defensive block.

The second half was notably more subdued compared to the action-packed first half, which saw four goals, five big chances, and 24 shots on goal. As the match progressed, the home team grew increasingly frustrated by their inability to launch a successful comeback.

Despite surviving several scares at the other end, Young Boys' luck eventually ran out. Anass Zaroury sealed the win for Panathinaikos in the 68th minute, meeting a teasing Giannis Kotsiras cross with a volleyed finish that ended Swiss hopes of a comeback.