Hapoel Beer Sheva Dominates Crvena Zvezda in UEFA Qualifiers

FK Crvena Zvezda 0-2 Hapoel Beer Sheva at Stadium Rajko Mitić leaves the hosts 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 well-worked goals from the Israeli side. With no standings data available, the full seasonal implications are unclear, but in the context of a two-legged qualifier this result puts Hapoel Beer Sheva in a commanding position and leaves Crvena Zvezda facing an uphill battle in the return match.

Match Report

The game began with Hapoel Beer Sheva quickly establishing territorial control, and the first major incident arrived on 22' when I. Rotman (Hapoel Beer Sheva) was booked for holding — [22'] I. Rotman (Hapoel Beer Sheva) — yellow card (Holding) — as Crvena Zvezda tried to break in transition.

At half-time, Dejan Stanković moved aggressively, making a double change for FK Crvena Zvezda. On 46', M. Arnautovic replaced J. Enem (FK Crvena Zvezda), and in the same minute M. Abu Fani replaced T. Elsnik (FK Crvena Zvezda), signalling a push for more control and creativity in midfield and attack.

The match’s tone shifted dramatically on 57' when D. Stankovic (FK Crvena Zvezda) was shown a straight red card — [57'] D. Stankovic (FK Crvena Zvezda) — red card (unspecified offence) — leaving the hosts down to ten men and under sustained pressure.

Hapoel Beer Sheva capitalised four minutes later. On 61', the visitors broke the deadlock: [61'] Hapoel Beer Sheva goal — I. Zlatanovic (assisted by J. East). East combined intelligently in the final third before sliding the ball to Zlatanovic, who finished to make it 0-1 and tilt the tie firmly in the away side’s favour.

Crvena Zvezda responded with another change on 62', looking for more invention between the lines as M. Ivanic replaced V. Kostov (FK Crvena Zvezda).

Hapoel Beer Sheva then picked up their second booking of the night on 63' when Lucas Ventura (Hapoel Beer Sheva) was cautioned for a robust challenge — [63'] Lucas Ventura (Hapoel Beer Sheva) — yellow card (Roughing).

On 66', Ran Kozuch freshened his midfield and right flank with a double substitution: M. Abu Rumi replaced N. Yehoshua (Hapoel Beer Sheva), and moments later H. Kanaan replaced G. Mizrahi (Hapoel Beer Sheva), adding energy and pace to protect the lead and threaten on the counter.

Crvena Zvezda made a further attacking adjustment on 73', introducing M. Cham for O. Bukari (FK Crvena Zvezda), an attempt to find more dribbling threat and direct running despite being a man down.

Hapoel Beer Sheva then managed their attacking line on 76' as D. T. Diop replaced first goalscorer I. Zlatanovic (Hapoel Beer Sheva), maintaining fresh legs up front to exploit the extra space.

The visitors struck again on 79' to effectively kill the contest: [79'] Hapoel Beer Sheva goal — J. East (assisted by E. Peretz). A well-timed forward run from East was picked out by Peretz, and the forward applied a composed finish to extend the lead to 0-2, reflecting Hapoel’s superiority in numbers and control.

Crvena Zvezda’s final substitution came on 80', with A. Katai replacing N. Tiknizyan (FK Crvena Zvezda), a move that further sacrificed defensive stability in search of a late route back into the tie.

In stoppage time, Hapoel Beer Sheva continued to rotate to preserve energy and lock down the result. At 90+2', O. Davidzada replaced P. Amador (Hapoel Beer Sheva), and in the same minute A. Ohana replaced J. East (Hapoel Beer Sheva), withdrawing the influential forward who had contributed a goal and an assist.

The night ended in further disciplinary trouble for the hosts at 90+2', when M. Abu Fani (FK Crvena Zvezda) was sent off for roughing — [90+2'] M. Abu Fani (FK Crvena Zvezda) — red card (Roughing) — reducing Crvena Zvezda to nine men and compounding a damaging evening in Belgrade.

Fixture Statistics & Tactical Audit

• xG: not available vs not available
• Possession: 4% vs 96%
• Shots on Target: 2 vs 6
• Goalkeeper Saves: not available vs not available
• Blocked Shots: 2 vs 1

Hapoel Beer Sheva’s dominance was overwhelming in terms of territory and control, with 96% possession indicating near-total command of the ball. Their 6 shots on target to Crvena Zvezda’s 2 underline a more consistent attacking threat, and the 0-2 scoreline aligns with the balance of chances created, especially after the first red card tilted the game decisively. Crvena Zvezda’s 4% share of possession points to a reactive, backs-to-the-wall performance that became even more constrained once reduced to ten and then nine men, leaving them unable to sustain attacks or build any meaningful pressure.

Standings Update & Seasonal Impact

With no league standings data provided, the exact numerical impact on points, goals for, and goals against cannot be precisely stated. However, within the context of the UEFA Champions League 3rd Qualifying Round, Hapoel Beer Sheva’s 0-2 away win gives them a significant aggregate advantage heading into the second leg, allowing them to manage the return fixture from a position of strength. For FK Crvena Zvezda, failing to score at home and losing two players to red cards severely complicates their qualification prospects, forcing them to chase at least two goals away from home while also dealing with suspensions.

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

Hapoel Beer Sheva delivered a dominant performance (96% possession, 6 shots on target) built on patient circulation, intelligent movement from their front three, and well-timed midfield support, with J. East central to their attacking structure through a goal and an assist. Their ability to stretch the pitch and recycle the ball forced Crvena Zvezda into deeper and deeper positions, and once the first red card arrived, the visitors ruthlessly exploited the numerical superiority. FK Crvena Zvezda, by contrast, suffered a defensive and disciplinary collapse (2 red cards, only 4% possession) that left them unable to impose their usual attacking patterns. Reduced numbers, limited ball retention, and an overworked back line meant they were largely confined to sporadic counters and half-chances, and the 0-2 defeat accurately reflects the gulf in control and composure on the night.