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PAOK were left frustrated after falling 1-0 to Anderlecht in the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round at Toumba on Thursday, despite dominating possession and spending much of the match on the attack. Mihajlo Cvetković scored what proved to be the winner inside the opening minute, giving the Belgian side the perfect start before Anderlecht spent much of the contest absorbing sustained pressure from the hosts. The goal came with just a minute played, with Enzo Llansana providing the assist as Cvetković finished from close range to immediately put PAOK on the back foot. PAOK responded by taking control of possession and territory, but struggled to translate that dominance into clear-cut opportunities. The Thessaloniki side enjoyed 65 per cent of possession and registered 16 attempts to Anderlecht’s four, while completing 468 passes at an accuracy rate of 86 per cent. Despite those numbers, PAOK managed only two shots on target – the same number as their opponents – highlighting their lack of efficiency in the final third. Greek international Christos Zafeiris attempted to respond almost immediately in the third minute, before Jonathan Gomez and Taison were among those trying to find a way through the Anderlecht defence as PAOK increased the pressure. The hosts were handed a golden opportunity to draw level in the 36th minute when Ioannis Michailidis stepped up from the penalty spot. However, the defender was unable to convert, with the missed penalty allowing Anderlecht to preserve their slender advantage heading towards half-time. It proved the defining missed opportunity of the night. PAOK continued to dominate after the interval and finished with 42 touches inside the opposition penalty area compared with Anderlecht’s 13, while 12 of their 16 attempts came from inside the box. They also won five corners to Anderlecht’s one and completed seven accurate crosses, but the visitors remained organised under sustained pressure. Anderlecht made 38 clearances compared with PAOK’s seven and recorded 16 interceptions to the home side’s six as they protected the lead Cvetković had given them almost from kick-off. Gomez threatened again in the 58th minute, while substitutes Greg Taylor and Baba Rahman added further attempts as PAOK searched for an equaliser. Yet for all their territorial superiority, the hosts were unable to find the decisive touch. Anderlecht, despite having only 35 per cent possession, created two big chances, while PAOK were officially credited with none. PAOK also comfortably won the physical battle, prevailing in 52 of the match’s 86 duels compared with Anderlecht’s 34. The 1-0 defeat brings an end to PAOK’s winning European run after they overcame Dynamo Kyiv in the previous round of Europa League qualifying. The Thessaloniki club defeated Kyiv 3-2 away on July 24 before completing the job with a 2-0 victory at home on July 31. Against Anderlecht, however, PAOK were punished for a disastrous start and their inability to make their subsequent dominance count, leaving them with work to do after the opening leg of their third qualifying-round tie. PAOK now faces a must-win scenario in Belgium if they wish to progress to the Europa League play-offs. In the Conference League, Omonia stood out with an injury time equaliser that helped them score a 1-1 away draw against Lincoln Red Imps. The visitors fell behind in the 71st minute after Christian Rutjens found the back of the net, though Panagiotis Andreou made it 1-1 with a 90+3rd minute goal to make things all square heading into next week’s leg in Cyprus. Paphos meanwhile, suffered a 1-0 away defeat to Red Bull Salzburg with a double blow in the late stages of the game. The travellers first conceded in the 88th minute through Haris Tabakovic before copping a red card following Ken Sema’s second yellow card in the 90+3rd minute. The Greek and Cypriot clubs that had played earlier in the week did not fare much better, with Olympiacos having drawn 0-0 with NEC at home on Wednesday morning in the first leg of their Champions League third qualifying round tie. The draw means the two teams will play effectively an out-and-out final in the Netherlands. Panathinaikos faces a similar situation after they drew 1-1 with CSKA 1948 in Athens on Thursday morning in their Conference League tie. The Greens were held to a stalemate despite scoring first, leaving them with everything to fight for in the return leg in Bulgaria. Apollon Limassol, meanwhile, stood out as the only team that gained an advantage ahead of the second leg. They boosted their chances of making the Conference League play-offs after earning a 1-0 away win over SK Brann.