PAOK snatch draw from Benfica in play-off first leg

Benfica's hopes of reaching the Champions League group stage for the ninth successive season suffered a blow as PAOK struck late to earn a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their play off in Lisbon.

A penalty from Pizzi on the stroke of half time had given Rui Vitoria's Eagles a deserved lead after Mauricio was adjudged to have caught Gedson Fernandes in the area.

Pizzi was at the heart of the major moments in the first period as he missed two gilt-edged opportunities as well as seeing a glorious chip from 25 yards clip the crossbar.

PAOK, who have already accounted for Basel and Spartak Moscow in their bid to reach the Champions League proper for the first time, rarely ventured forward but grabbed what could be a crucial goal in the tie 14 minutes from time when substitute Amr Warda lashed home.

The sides will now reconvene for the second leg in Greece next Wednesday with a place in the group stage draw on August 30 at stake.

Good news for Liverpool? If Benfica prevail in this tie then Liverpool will drop into pot 3 when the draw for the group stage is made. That would set up a potential 'group of death' that both Kopites and the non-English heavyweights in pots 1 and 2 respectively, will be eager to avoid. So don't be surprised if you come across Liverpool fans showing an interest in PAOK completing the job when the Greek Super League side host the second leg next Wednesday. The Black and Whites have won their last 28 home games in a row and, despite coming into this as underdogs, they will now be quietly confident they can add Benfica to the list of impressive scalps they have already taken.

Amr Warda (PAOK). Made a real impression when he came off the bench and finally gave the Benfica defence something to worry about. Was left to feed on scraps but made a huge impact on the game when he crashed in the equaliser to give PAOK real hope of progressing.

BENFICA: Odysseas 6, André Almeida 6, Rúben Dias 6, Jardel 6, Grimaldo 7, Fejsa 6, Gedson 7, Zivkovic 7, Cervi 7, Pizzi 7, Ferreyra 6. Subs: Rafa Silva 6, Seferović n/a, João Félix n/a.

PAOK: Paschalakis 7, Léo Matos 7, Varela 7, Maurício 7, Prijovic 6, Pelkas 7, Crespo 6, Limnios 5, Vieirinha 6, Cañas 6, Leo Jaba 7. Subs: Warda 7, Shakhov n/a, Akpom n/a.

23' - BENFICA CHANCE. Cervi cuts the ball back from the left for Pizzi who contrives to fire wide from just eight yard out.

27' - BENFICA CHANCE. Pizzi almost makes up for his earlier miss with a delicious 25-yard chip that clips the top of the bar before bouncing over.

29' - BENFICA CHANCE. Pizzi meets Almeida's whipped cross from the right but sees his flick header fly just wide of the far post.

45+1' - GOAL! Benfica 1-0 PAOK. Pizzi finally gets his goal as he confidently sends Paschalakis the wrong way from the spot. Mauricio was penalised for catching Gedson as he looked to connect with Grimaldo's low cross from the left.

50' - BENFICA CHANCE. Ferreyra spins onto Gedson's flick and lashes a volley towards goal that Paschalakis manages to parry to safety.

57' - BENFICA CHANCE. Grimaldo sizzles in a 25-yard drive that Paschalakis just about tips away from his right-hand top corner.

76' - GOAL! Benfica 1-1 PAOK. The Greek side are level! Varela's header from the right-wing free kick comes back off the bar and falls for Warda, who lashes the ball into the net.

Benfica have won only two of their last 13 fixtures in Europe (D3 L8).

PAOK have only lost two of their 12 away games in European competition (W5 D5