Apoel defeats Aek in Cypriot league playoff

On May 3, 2026, Apoel secured a 1-0 victory against Aek Larnaca in the sixth round of the Cypriot First Division league playoffs. The decisive goal was scored by Diego Rosa in the 67th minute with a powerful shot from outside the penalty area. The match took place at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia. With this result, Apoel reached 52 points, keeping their hopes alive for a European competition spot, although their qualification depends on other results. Aek remained at 61 points and missed the opportunity to secure their European qualification early. The match was characterized by a balanced first half, with Apoel hitting the post through Laifis and Aek exerting pressure in the second half. Apoel's coach, Pablo Garcia, expressed dissatisfaction with the officiating, specifically mentioning a missed penalty claim.