Pafos FC suffers 3-1 defeat against Twente in Conference League
On November 5, 2026, Pafos FC faced Twente in Enschede during the third round of the Conference League's League Phase. Despite taking the lead with a goal by Lele in the 40th minute, Pafos could not maintain its advantage against the Dutch side. The match turned decisively in the 65th minute when Lele was sent off with a second yellow card, an officiating decision that caused significant controversy as club officials claimed the player was simply dedicating his celebration to his family.
Following the dismissal, Twente exploited their numerical superiority to score three goals, resulting in a 3-1 victory. The goals for the home side were attributed to the team's relentless pressure, with the final scores coming after defensive lapses by the Cypriot club. This loss leaves Pafos with only one point after three matches, dropping them to 30th place in the league table. Coach Ricardo Sa Pinto expressed pride in his players' initial performance but noted that the red card ruined their tactical plan.
Pafos now faces a difficult path to progress in the competition. Their remaining schedule includes upcoming matches against Midtjylland at home, Mjallby away, and finally Hearts in Cyprus as they strive to secure their first victory in the tournament.