Hapoel Be’er Sheva are now just two matches away from reaching the UEFA Champions League group stage for the first time after producing a composed 2-0 victory over Crvena Zvezda in Belgrade.
The Israeli side arrived in Serbia protecting a slender advantage from the first leg, but rather than sitting deep and attempting to defend it, they took the game to their hosts. Second-half goals from Igor Zlatanović and Javon East ultimately completed an impressive 3-0 aggregate victory.
For Crvena Zvezda, the defeat brings another painful Champions League qualifying campaign to an end. They will now turn their attention to the UEFA Europa League play-off round, where Viktoria Plzeň await.
For Tanzanian football fans following the European qualifiers, meanwhile, Hapoel Be’er Sheva have suddenly become one of the teams worth keeping a close eye on.
Crvena Zvezda Start Brightly, but Hapoel Refuses to Sit Back
Given Crvena Zvezda’s impressive scoring record at home, there was plenty of reason for optimism inside Stadion Rajko Mitić before kick-off.
The Serbian giants immediately tried to impose themselves.
Vasilije Kostov fired narrowly wide in the opening exchanges before Timi Max Elšnik tried his luck from distance. The message was obvious: Crvena wanted an early goal to change the complexion of the tie completely.
Hapoel, however, refused to panic.
Lucas Ventura registered the visitors’ first effort on target, while Crvena’s defense was forced into emergency blocks to deny Serbian forward Igor Zlatanović.
Rather than resembling a team desperate to protect an aggregate advantage, Be’er Sheva increasingly looked like the side more likely to score.
Zlatanović and East Keep Crvena’s Defense Under Pressure
Javon East came agonizingly close when he curled a low effort just past the post, while Zlatanović tested goalkeeper Matheus with another dangerous attempt.
Crvena eventually began to enjoy more possession as the first half progressed, but possession alone could not solve their problems.
Hapoel remained organized, disciplined and dangerous whenever opportunities appeared.
The hosts’ inability to turn territorial control into goals proved particularly frustrating for the home crowd. When the half-time whistle arrived with the score still goalless, angry whistles echoed around the stadium.
Crvena needed inspiration after the break.
Instead, their Champions League hopes were about to suffer a devastating blow.
Bukari Miss Proves Costly as Zlatanović Strikes
Crvena were handed a golden opportunity shortly after the restart.
Osman Bukari broke into the Hapoel penalty area from the right and found himself with a clear sight of goal from approximately six yards. It looked like the moment the hosts had been waiting for.
He blazed over.
In a European knockout tie decided by fine margins, such opportunities can be brutally expensive.
Hapoel demonstrated exactly why moments later.
Zlatanović found space inside the area and calmly side-footed the ball beyond Matheus, giving Be’er Sheva the lead on the night and putting them firmly in control of the aggregate score.
Suddenly, Crvena required something extraordinary to rescue their Champions League campaign.
Stanković Sees Red as Crvena Lose Control
Frustration increasingly became visible on the Serbian bench.
Head coach Dejan Stanković received two yellow cards in quick succession, leaving him unable to direct his players through a crucial period of the contest.
Crvena still created opportunities.
Experienced striker Marko Arnautović was presented with a glorious chance to revive their hopes, but another opportunity went begging.
Hapoel had absorbed the pressure, survived the dangerous moments and punished their opponents when it mattered.
And they weren’t finished.
Javon East Delivers the Final Blow
With 11 minutes of normal time remaining, Hapoel ended any lingering hope of a dramatic Crvena comeback.
Eliel Peretz delivered a dangerous low cross towards the near post, where the alert Javon East reacted quickest and turned the ball home.
Crvena Zvezda 0-2 Hapoel Be’er Sheva. Aggregate: 0-3.
Game over.
The closing stages still produced drama. Muhammed Cham almost grabbed a spectacular consolation when his effort struck the crossbar, while Mohammed Abu Fani was sent off for a dangerous foul.
Neither incident could change the outcome.
Hapoel had conquered Belgrade and secured their place in the next round.
What Next for Hapoel Be’er Sheva?
Hapoel Be’er Sheva will now face Azerbaijan’s Sabah Baku in the UEFA Champions League play-off round.
The equation could hardly be clearer.
Win the two-legged tie and Hapoel will reach the Champions League group stage for the first time in the club’s history.
That would represent a major milestone for Be’er Sheva and an opportunity to compete against some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Their performance against Crvena should certainly provide confidence. Hapoel showed they can defend under pressure without becoming overly defensive, while players such as Zlatanović and East demonstrated the ability to punish opponents at decisive moments.
Sabah Baku, however, represents the final obstacle, and Champions League qualification will demand another disciplined performance across two legs.
Crvena Zvezda Drop Into Europa League
Crvena Zvezda’s European adventure is not finished.
Their Champions League ambitions are over, but the Serbian giants will now enter the UEFA Europa League play-off round, where they are set to face Viktoria Plzeň.
It is nevertheless a disappointing outcome for a club accustomed to competing on Europe’s biggest stages.
Crvena entered the home leg needing to overturn a manageable deficit, created chances and enjoyed periods of possession, but their finishing repeatedly deserted them.
Bukari’s second-half miss arguably summed up their evening. Hapoel converted their opportunities; Crvena did not.
That difference ultimately decided the tie.
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Hapoel Be’er Sheva Are One Tie Away From History
This was more than simply an away victory for Hapoel Be’er Sheva.
It was a statement.
They traveled to one of European football’s intimidating venues carrying a narrow advantage and responded with confidence rather than fear. They weathered Crvena’s pressure, created opportunities of their own and showed ruthless efficiency when the decisive chances arrived.
Zlatanović provided the breakthrough. East delivered the knockout punch.
A 2-0 victory in Belgrade and 3-0 aggregate triumph now leave Hapoel Be’er Sheva standing on the doorstep of Champions League history.
Only Sabah Baku stand between them and the League Phase.
For football followers in Tanzania and across Africa watching the final stages of Champions League qualification, Hapoel’s next two matches are ones to watch.
Final Score: Crvena Zvezda 0-2 Hapoel Be’er Sheva
Aggregate: Hapoel Be’er Sheva win 3-0
Goalscorers: Igor Zlatanović, Javon East
Next UCL Opponent: Sabah Baku
Crvena Zvezda’s Next European Opponent: Viktoria Plzeň (UEFA Europa League play-off)
