Hapoel Be'er Sheva Falls 2-1 in First European Match, Faces Crucial Return Leg

Hapoel Be'er Sheva began their 2026-27 UEFA Champions League qualifying campaign with a disappointing 2-1 loss to Icelandic side Vikingur in the second qualifying round first leg on July 21, 2026. The match, played in Iceland, saw Be'er Sheva struggle to find rhythm, showing weak performances both defensively and offensively under coach Ran Kojuch. Despite Kings Kangwa scoring an equalizer three minutes after Vikingur took the lead early in the second half, the Israeli champions failed to capitalize on a disallowed goal by young player Niv Yehoshua due to a marginal offside call. Vikingur regained the lead in the 86th minute through Nikolaj Hansen, who repeatedly exploited gaps in Be'er Sheva's defense, securing the win for the home team.

The Israeli side, still early in their season and facing a team in mid-season form, must now overturn the deficit in the return leg scheduled for next Wednesday in Hungary. Coach Kojuch emphasized the need for a near-perfect performance to advance to the next round and avoid early elimination. This match follows Be'er Sheva's recent defeat to Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Israeli Super Cup, continuing a shaky start to their season both domestically and in Europe. The team and fans remain hopeful as the tie remains open heading into the second leg.