Hapoel Beer Sheva Triumphs 2-0 Over FK Crvena Zvezda in UEFA Champions League

FK Crvena Zvezda 0-2 Hapoel Beer Sheva at Stadium Rajko Mitić leaves the Serbian side with a damaging home defeat in the UEFA Champions League 3rd Qualifying Round, undone by a second-half collapse that included two red cards and two conceded goals. With no standings data available, the full implications for both clubs’ continental campaigns are unclear, but the result clearly tilts this tie in Hapoel Beer Sheva’s favour ahead of the return leg.

Match Report

The first half in Belgrade was cagey and physical, with the visitors picking up the first booking. In the 22nd minute, Hapoel Beer Sheva defender I. Rotman was shown a yellow card for holding, signalling the referee’s low tolerance for cynical fouls in what was otherwise a low-event opening period.

Crvena Zvezda made a double change at the interval to inject more attacking impetus. In the 46th minute, M. Arnautovic replaced J. Enem for FK Crvena Zvezda, and moments later M. Abu Fani came on for T. Elsnik for the hosts, indicating a shift in personnel to chase greater control and creativity.

The game’s turning point arrived just before the hour. In the 57th minute, FK Crvena Zvezda’s D. Stankovic was sent off with a red card, leaving the home side down to ten men and forced into reactive defending for the remainder of the contest.

Hapoel Beer Sheva capitalised quickly on the numerical advantage. In the 61st minute, Hapoel Beer Sheva goal — I. Zlatanovic (assisted by J. East) — broke the deadlock, with the visitors going 0-1 up as East’s service was converted clinically by Zlatanovic.

Crvena Zvezda responded with another substitution in the 62nd minute, as M. Ivanic replaced V. Kostov for FK Crvena Zvezda, a move aimed at adding attacking quality between the lines despite being a man down.

Hapoel Beer Sheva’s midfield aggression then drew further disciplinary attention. In the 63rd minute, Lucas Ventura (Hapoel Beer Sheva) — yellow card (Roughing) — was booked for a robust challenge, the second caution for the Israeli side.

The visitors turned to their bench to manage energy and maintain control. In the 66th minute, M. Abu Rumi replaced N. Yehoshua for Hapoel Beer Sheva, and H. Kanaan came on for G. Mizrahi, refreshing both midfield and defence as they protected their lead.

Crvena Zvezda continued to search for a route back into the match. In the 73rd minute, M. Cham replaced O. Bukari for FK Crvena Zvezda, another attacking-minded switch to chase an equaliser despite the numerical disadvantage.

Hapoel Beer Sheva then rotated their forward line. In the 76th minute, D. T. Diop replaced I. Zlatanovic for the visitors, withdrawing the opening goalscorer to preserve legs and maintain intensity in the press.

The away side effectively killed the tie as a contest shortly after. In the 79th minute, Hapoel Beer Sheva goal — J. East (assisted by E. Peretz) — doubled the advantage to 0-2, with East turning from provider to finisher after a well-timed pass from Peretz opened up the home defence.

Crvena Zvezda made a final change in the 80th minute, with A. Katai replacing N. Tiknizyan for FK Crvena Zvezda, a further attacking adjustment as they chased a lifeline in the closing stages.

In stoppage time, Hapoel Beer Sheva managed the game with additional substitutions. At 90+2', O. Davidzada came on for P. Amador, and A. Ohana replaced J. East, both for Hapoel Beer Sheva, removing key attacking contributors to secure the result.

The night ended in further disciplinary trouble for the hosts. At 90+2', M. Abu Fani (FK Crvena Zvezda) — red card (Roughing) — was dismissed, leaving Crvena Zvezda to finish with nine men and compounding the sense of a self-inflicted defeat.

Fixture Statistics & Tactical Audit

• xG: not available for FK Crvena Zvezda vs not available for Hapoel Beer Sheva
• Possession: 4% vs 96%
• Shots on Target: 2 vs 6
• Goalkeeper Saves: not available vs not available
• Blocked Shots: 2 vs 1

The statistical profile underlines how territorially dominant Hapoel Beer Sheva were (96% possession), pinning Crvena Zvezda deep for long stretches, especially after the first red card. The visitors generated three times as many shots on target (6 vs 2), reflecting a more sustained attacking threat and better shot locations, even without xG values available. Crvena Zvezda’s two blocked shots show some last-ditch defending, but their inability to retain the ball (4% possession) meant they were largely reactive and reliant on isolated moments rather than structured attacks. The 0-2 scoreline is consistent with the pattern of play: Hapoel Beer Sheva controlled the ball, created the clearer chances, and ruthlessly exploited the numerical advantages created by the home side’s indiscipline.

Standings Update & Seasonal Impact

With no league or group standings data provided for either FK Crvena Zvezda or Hapoel Beer Sheva, the precise impact on points, goal difference, and positional shifts cannot be quantified. What is clear, however, is that a 0-2 home defeat in a UEFA Champions League 3rd Qualifying Round tie leaves Crvena Zvezda facing a significant uphill task in the return leg, while Hapoel Beer Sheva take a strong aggregate lead and valuable away result into the second match, placing them in a favourable position to progress.

Lineups & Personnel

FK Crvena Zvezda Starting XI

• GK: Matheus
• DF: Young-woo Seol, Derrick Luckassen, Strahinja Eraković, Nair Tiknizyan
• MF: Timi Max Elšnik, Rade Krunić, Osman Bukari, Vasilije Kostov
• FW: Bruno Duarte, Jay Enem

Hapoel Beer Sheva Starting XI

• GK: Ofir Marciano
• DF: Guy Mizrahi, Miguel Vítor, Itay Rotman, Pedro Amador
• MF: Eliel Peretz, Lucas Ventura, Niv Yehoshua
• FW: Javon East, Igor Zlatanović, Zahi Ahmed

Post-Match Verdict

This was a tactical and emotional collapse from FK Crvena Zvezda, whose two red cards left them chronically exposed and unable to contest territory (4% possession) or create sustained pressure (2 shots on target). Hapoel Beer Sheva delivered a controlled, dominant display in terms of ball circulation (96% possession) and chance creation (6 shots on target), patiently waiting for the game to tilt decisively their way after the first dismissal. Once ahead through Zlatanovic and then East, they managed the tempo intelligently, using timely substitutions to preserve energy and maintain structure. The 0-2 away win reflects a clinical exploitation of numerical superiority and game-state by the visitors, and leaves Crvena Zvezda needing both a tactical reset and far greater discipline to have any chance of turning the tie around.