Standard Liège hammer Panathinaikos in Europa League

(GSM) – Belgian side Standard Liège seized control of their Round of 16 Europa League tie on Thursday with a 3-1 away win against Panathinaikos.

The Belgians opened the scoring after just eight minutes when Alex Witsel headed home a cross by Dieudonne Mbokani, and they stunned Panathinaikos with a second just eight minutes later as Milan Jovanovic made it 2-0 with the goalkeeper off his line.

The Greeks pulled a goal back to keep the tie close in the 48th minute as Loukas Vyntra got his cranium on the end of a free kick, but it wasn’t to be for Panathinaikos on this night as Standard sealed the match later on.

With 16 minutes to play, Standard made it 3-1 when Iván de Camargo took a long pass from Jovanovic before hitting past goalkeeper Dario Galinovic.

Panathinaikos will need a massive comeback, needing to score at least two goals in the second leg to have a chance in the tie.