AEK’s disappointing Champions League campaign ended with another defeat by Benfica in Lisbon on Wednesday.

A late Alex Grimaldo free-kick for Benfica condemned 10-man AEK to a sixth straight Champions League defeat.

The Greek champions became the first team in the history of Greek football to participate in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League and not manage to get a single point for their efforts.

Grimaldo curled a brilliant effort over the AEK wall and into the top left corner of Vasilis Barkas’ goal with just two minutes left at the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica in Lisbon to clinch a deserved victory.

That goal came after AEK had Kostas Galanopoulos sent-off for collecting a second yellow card for a foul on Gedson Fernandes just outside the penalty area.

Marinos Ouzounidis’ AEK side had battled manfully before that set-back and looked like they would pick up their first point of what has been a truly miserable campaign, but alas it was not to be.

Benfica, who were already assured of third place before tonight, now go into the draw for the last 32 of the Europa League while AEK will concentrate on the domestic competitions.

Source: http://greece.greekreporter.com/category/greek-news/tourism/