PAOK continued its unbeaten run in Champions League qualifying by snatching an 1-1 draw against Portuguese giants Benfica in Lisbon on Tuesday.
The draw hands PAOK a slight advantage going into the second leg of the play-off billed for August 29 at Stadio Toumbas in Thessaloníki.
Benfica had an edge in possession and goal attempts, but were punished for their wastefulness when Amr Warda, a second-half substitute, equalised in the 75th minute.
After Fernando Varela met a curling Dimitris Pelkas free-kick with a meaty header that smacked the crossbar, the ball fell to the Egyptian who placed his shot through a crowd of players.
Benfica had taken the lead in the final minute of the first half, when PAOK midfielder Mauricio ran into Gedson Fernandes from behind to concede a penalty.
Benfica midfielder Pizzi made amends for several earlier misses by drilling the ball low into the corner of the net.
PAOK have never advanced to the group stage but have already crushed Basel and eliminated Spartak Moscow in the qualifying rounds this year.
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