Aberdeen Secures Narrow Victory with Late Goal Against Kilmarnock

ABERDEEN, Scotland — Oday Dabbagh‘s injury-time goal propelled Aberdeen to a 1-0 victory over Kilmarnock at Pittodrie Stadium on Saturday, solidifying their position in the Scottish Premiership.

Dabbagh’s decisive strike came in the 90+2 minute, following a well-placed pass from Leighton Clarkson that he converted from the back post. This win marked Aberdeen’s third consecutive victory in all competitions, allowing them to maintain third place in the league standings.

Manager Jimmy Thelin praised his team’s competitive spirit post-match. “It was a difficult game, but we stayed in it and pushed for the victory in the final moments. It’s crucial for us to celebrate this win with our supporters,” he said, reflecting on a match filled with tension and intensity.

Meanwhile, Kilmarnock, managed by Derek McInnes, was left frustrated after a match where they had their chances but failed to capitalize. Thelin’s side enjoyed more possession and seemed the most likely to score, but the visitors still tested their defensive resilience.

The first half featured limited clear chances, although Kilmarnock thought they had earned a penalty when Liam Donnelly went down in the box. However, this decision was overturned following a VAR check, which also ruled out a late first-half goal from Aberdeen’s Jeppe Okkels for offside.

As the second half unfolded, both sides sparked into life, with Pape Habib Gueye nearly scoring for Aberdeen following a sharp attack that forced Kilmarnock’s goalkeeper, Kieran O’Hara, to make a vital save.

With their backs against the wall, Kilmarnock looked for openings and had their best chance when Kelly missed an attempt to slot home from close range. As time wore on and both teams searched for a breakthrough, it seemed the match would end in a stalemate until Dabbagh’s late intervention stunned the visitors.

“We had good moments throughout the game, but in the end, didn’t create enough to take a point,” McInnes said, expressing disappointment while acknowledging Aberdeen’s quality in crucial moments.

This win puts Aberdeen in a strong position as they look to build momentum heading into their next fixtures, while Kilmarnock faces the challenge of improving their away form, having secured only two victories in 14 matches on the road this season.