Hapoel Tel Aviv Narrowly Eliminated by Atalanta in Conference League Playoff

Hapoel Tel Aviv was eliminated from the UEFA Conference League after a narrow 1-0 loss to Atalanta in the second leg of the playoff round on August 27, 2026. Despite the defeat, Hapoel delivered a commendable performance against the Italian club, challenging them throughout both matches. The decisive goal came late in the game, in the 80th minute, when Gianluca Scamacca, who had just come on as a substitute, scored following a scramble in the penalty area.

The first half of the match was largely uneventful, with both teams struggling to create clear chances despite a high tempo. The score remained 0-0 for most of the second half until Scamacca's goal broke the deadlock. Hapoel pushed hard to equalize, coming closest in the 86th minute when Mor Buskila’s powerful shot hit the crossbar after a corner kick from Stav Turyel.

Hapoel’s European campaign was notable, especially considering they were underdogs from the start. They surprised many by eliminating Ludogorets and then Katowice in earlier rounds to reach the playoff stage. Defensively, the team was solid over the two legs, limiting Atalanta’s chances significantly. However, their offensive struggles persisted, with few meaningful opportunities created in either match. Ultimately, a momentary lapse in concentration was enough for Atalanta to secure victory and end Hapoel’s impressive run in Europe just shy of the group stage.

The elimination marks a disappointing end to a promising campaign for Hapoel Tel Aviv, who came within ten minutes of forcing extra time against the Italian giants. The team can take pride in their defensive resilience and overall performance despite the early exit.