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

FK Crvena Zvezda 0-2 Hapoel Beer Sheva at Stadium Rajko Mitić leaves the Belgrade side with a damaging home defeat in the UEFA Champions League 3rd Qualifying Round, undone by two second-half goals and a pair of red cards that turned a tight tie into a controlled away win. With no standings data available, the immediate significance is competitive rather than table-based: Hapoel Beer Sheva take a clear advantage from the first leg, while Crvena Zvezda face an uphill task in the return match after a night defined by ill-discipline and territorial inferiority.

Match Report

The opening phase was cagey, with both teams probing without creating clear chances. The first major incident arrived on 22', when Hapoel Beer Sheva picked up their first booking: 22' I. Rotman (Hapoel Beer Sheva) — yellow card (Holding), signalling the visitors’ willingness to break up Crvena Zvezda’s rare transitions.

Crvena Zvezda made an aggressive double change at the interval, clearly unhappy with their attacking output. On 46' M. Arnautovic replaced J. Enem (FK Crvena Zvezda), adding fresh legs up front, and simultaneously on 46' M. Abu Fani replaced T. Elsnik (FK Crvena Zvezda) to inject more control in midfield.

The match’s balance tilted decisively just before the hour. On 57' D. Stankovic (FK Crvena Zvezda) received a red card, leaving the hosts down to ten men and forcing them into a deeper, more reactive block against Hapoel Beer Sheva’s growing pressure.

The numerical advantage was converted into a lead four minutes later. On 61' Hapoel Beer Sheva goal — I. Zlatanovic (assisted by J. East), a well-worked move that saw East link play and slide in Zlatanovic to finish, putting the visitors 1-0 up and further stretching a now undermanned Crvena Zvezda.

Crvena Zvezda responded with another attacking reshuffle. On 62' M. Ivanic replaced V. Kostov (FK Crvena Zvezda), adding creativity between the lines in search of an equaliser despite being a man down.

Hapoel Beer Sheva then collected a second caution as they continued to manage the tempo. On 63' Lucas Ventura (Hapoel Beer Sheva) — yellow card (Roughing), a tactical foul to halt a rare Crvena Zvezda break.

The visitors turned to their bench to keep intensity high. On 66' M. Abu Rumi replaced N. Yehoshua (Hapoel Beer Sheva), and also on 66' H. Kanaan replaced G. Mizrahi (Hapoel Beer Sheva), refreshing both midfield and the right side of defence to maintain control against a tiring home side.

Crvena Zvezda’s last throw of the dice in wide areas came on 73', when M. Cham replaced O. Bukari (FK Crvena Zvezda), aiming to add dribbling threat and delivery from the flanks.

Hapoel Beer Sheva continued to rotate their front line to press from the front. On 76' D. T. Diop replaced I. Zlatanovic (Hapoel Beer Sheva), preserving energy in attack while protecting their narrow lead.

The decisive second goal arrived as the hosts’ resistance faded. On 79' Hapoel Beer Sheva goal — J. East (assisted by E. Peretz), with Peretz stepping up from midfield to feed East, who capped a strong individual display with a composed finish to make it 2-0 and effectively kill the contest.

Crvena Zvezda made a late defensive change on 80' as A. Katai replaced N. Tiknizyan (FK Crvena Zvezda), a move that also hinted at pushing Katai higher up to salvage something from the game.

In stoppage time, Hapoel Beer Sheva used their bench to run down the clock and manage the load. On 90+2' O. Davidzada replaced P. Amador (Hapoel Beer Sheva), and in the same minute, 90+2' A. Ohana replaced J. East (Hapoel Beer Sheva), withdrawing their goalscoring forward to preserve him for the return leg.

The night ended in further frustration for the hosts. On 90+2' M. Abu Fani (FK Crvena Zvezda) — red card (Roughing), reducing Crvena Zvezda to nine men and underlining a loss of discipline that matched their tactical unraveling in the second half.

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

The statistical profile underlines how territorially one-sided the match became. Hapoel Beer Sheva’s 96% possession reflects almost total control of the ball, especially after Crvena Zvezda’s first red card, forcing the hosts into a low block and leaving them reliant on sporadic counters. With 6 shots on target to Crvena Zvezda’s 2, the visitors consistently generated the clearer chances and translated that superiority into two goals. The hosts’ 2 blocked shots show some last-ditch defending, but their inability to sustain attacks — evidenced by just 4% of the ball — meant the 0-2 scoreline aligned closely with the flow of the game, even without precise xG figures.

Standings Update & Seasonal Impact

With no league standings data provided for either FK Crvena Zvezda or Hapoel Beer Sheva, the impact is best read through the lens of qualification stakes rather than table positions. Hapoel Beer Sheva’s 2-0 away victory gives them a strong aggregate advantage and significant leverage ahead of the second leg, allowing them to manage the tie from a position of strength. Crvena Zvezda, by contrast, must chase at least two goals away from home while likely missing suspended players after the double red-card incident, complicating their route toward the Champions League group stage.

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 display (96% possession, 6 shots on target to 2) built on ball retention, structured pressing, and intelligent use of width, with Javon East and Igor Zlatanović central to stretching Crvena Zvezda’s back line. Their patience in circulation wore down the hosts, and once the first red card arrived, they systematically exploited the extra space, reflected in two well-constructed goals both involving East. Crvena Zvezda, by contrast, produced a vulnerable performance (conceding 6 shots on target while creating only 2) that combined tactical passivity with costly indiscipline; the double dismissal of D. Stankovic and M. Abu Fani not only undermined their in-game prospects but also leaves them shorthanded for the second leg. Overall, the 0-2 scoreline was a clinical reflection of Hapoel Beer Sheva’s control and Crvena Zvezda’s inability to adapt once reduced in numbers.