Razvan Marin's free-kick stunner opens AEK's Champions run
AEK beat LASK 1-0 as Razvan Marin curled home a stunning free-kick, while Aston Villa won 3-2 away at Club Brugge in the Champions League opener.
The Champions League 2026/27 league phase got under way on Tuesday, with Aston Villa winning 3-2 away at Club Brugge and AEK beating LASK 1-0 at home in Athens.
Villa, the reigning Europa League holders, took the lead through João Gomes and John McGinn. The Brazilian teed up McGinn for the opener, and Emiliano Buendía and Nicolas Jackson added the other two goals for the Premier League side. Brugge replied through Hugo Vetlesen and Nicolo Tressoldi, the latter from the penalty spot.
In Athens, one goal settled it, and it was worth the admission price on its own. Razvan Marin put AEK ahead in the 21st minute with a free-kick that curled straight into the top corner, beating LASK goalkeeper Jungwirth at his near post. Marko Nikolic's side held that lead to the break and saw the match out 1-0.
Marin is 30, a Romanian midfielder who has played for Ajax and Cagliari among other clubs. He struck from a similar position in the second leg of AEK's play-off against Levski Sofia, the goal that took the Greek side into the league phase. Mundo Deportivo likened Tuesday's effort to the dead-ball work of Juninho Pernambucano, Ronaldinho, David Beckham and Leo Messi.
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