Oscar lifts Olympiakos past Atromitos 1-0

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ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- Oscar scored a second-half goal Saturday to lead defending champion Olympiakos to a 1-0 win over host Atromitos in the Greek league.

Luciano Galletti found Oscar unmarked in the area in the 80th minute and the Brazilian midfielder easily slotted in the winner.

Olympiakos now has 25 points. Panathinaikos, which plays Sunday, can keep hold of first place on goal difference with a win over Panionios.

Playing without four regular starters because of injuries and two others suspended, Olympiakos controlled play from kickoff. But it was Atromitos that squandered two major scoring chances early in the match.

Andreas Tatos controlled the ball in the Olympiakos area in the 29th minute and his powerful shot forced goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis to leap high and send the ball over his crossbar. Five minutes later, a blistering shot by Ilias Kampas grazed Olympiakos' left post.

Olympiakos, which was eliminated from the Greek Cup on Wednesday, came close to scoring in the 61st but Atromitos goalkeeper Chrisostomos Michailidis jumped high to tip a lob from Costas Mitroglou over the bar.

In the 54th, Olympiakos squandered another opportunity when Michailidis made a diving save to a low drive by Ieroklis Stoltidis.

Also Saturday, it was: Larissa 2, Aris 2; and PAOK 1, Xanthi 0. On Sunday, it's: Iraklis vs. Asteras; Kavala vs. Panthrakikos; Giannena vs. Levadiakos; and Ergotelis vs. AEK Athens.

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