With a sensational stoppage-time header by 17-year-old Charalampos Kostoulas, Olympiacos secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Aris at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, opening the 18th round of the Super League Greece on a high note.

Kostoulas, who recently extended his contract with the club, entered as a second-half substitute and scored both goals for Olympiacos (50′, 90’+6′), propelling his team to the top of the table. The young striker’s decisive contribution came after Loren Morón’s brilliant solo effort had given Aris a first-half lead (36′).

Aris, already hindered by injuries, faced further challenges when Martín Montoya received a second yellow card in the 72nd minute, leaving the visitors with 10 men. Despite their resilience, Kostoulas capitalised on a perfect cross from Julian Biancone to deliver the match-winner in the dying moments.

The game started with Olympiacos pushing for an early breakthrough. Aris held firm and even appealed for a penalty in the 10th minute when Vladimir Darida was challenged by Rodinei, but the referee and VAR dismissed the claims.

Olympiacos created their first clear chance in the 20th minute when Jordon Martins’ diagonal shot narrowly missed the target. Minutes later, a double chance from Francisco Ortega and Ayoub El Kaabi was thwarted by Aris goalkeeper Julián Cuesta and defender Shapi Suleymanov.

Morón broke the deadlock in the 36th minute, showcasing his technical prowess to beat two defenders and goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis with a fierce shot from the edge of the box.

Olympiacos equalised five minutes into the second half. Kostoulas intercepted a weak back pass, drove forward, and coolly slotted the ball through Cuesta’s legs to ignite the home crowd.

Despite Aris’s efforts, including a near-miss from Suleymanov and a crucial save by Tzolakis against Morón, their numerical disadvantage proved costly. After an extended VAR review in the 87th minute disallowed a goal for Olympiacos due to a foul in the build-up, Kostoulas struck again in stoppage time, cementing his place as the hero of the night.

The win keeps Olympiacos in pole position ahead of their crucial Greek Cup derby against Panathinaikos. Aris, now on a three-game losing streak, faces PAOK in another high-stakes encounter.

Lineups:

Olympiacos: Tzolakis, Martins (85′ Yaremchuk), Biancone, Rodinei, El Kaabi, Garcia (46′ Mouzakitis), Esse (77′ Kostinha), Tiquinho (90’+11′ Stamenic), Carmo, Ortega, Velde (46′ Kostoulas).

Aris: Cuesta, Friedek, Montoya, Brabets, Velet, Darida (79′ Rose), Monchu, Sifuentes, Suleymanov, Diadi (15′ Saverio/48′ Fetfatzidis), Morón (79′ Quaison).

Scores and fixtures – Round 18 Super League Greece:

Olympiacos – Aris 2-1 (50′, 90’+6′ Kostoulas – 36′ Morón)

Panserraikos – Panathinaikos (12/1)

Lamia – Atromitos (12/1)

PAOK – Volos (12/1)

AEK – Athens Kallithea (12/1)

Asteras Tripolis – Panetolikos (13/1)

OFI – Levadiakos (13/1)