ATHENS (Interstat) — Panathinaikos defeated Real Betis 1-0 in Europa League play Thursday at Olympiako Stadio Spyros Louis, overcoming a projected deficit in a match marred by cards.

The visitors finished with nine men after second-half red cards to Anass Zaroury in the 59th minute and Diego Llorente in the 86th. Panathinaikos capitalized on its numerical advantage, securing the victory with a lone goal.

The result defied a pregame projection from Interstat, which had favored Betis with a simulated 2-1 scoreline. The win gives Panathinaikos a perfect start in the competition, while Betis begins its campaign with a loss.