Beitar Jerusalem Opens European Campaign with 1-0 Win Over AEK Larnaca in Cyprus

Beitar Jerusalem began their European journey with a strong 1-0 away victory against AEK Larnaca in Cyprus on Thursday, July 23, 2026. The decisive goal came in the 77th minute from Brian Carvalho, who scored a powerful free kick, giving the Israeli club a crucial advantage ahead of the second leg. The match showcased a high-pressing, aggressive, and attacking mindset under new coach Almog Cohen, who moved from the stands to the sidelines for this game.

Despite Beitar's overall control and strong performance, the hosts were initially more threatening in the first half, missing several chances and hitting the woodwork twice. After halftime, Beitar dominated the pitch, creating numerous opportunities and maintaining solid defense. A standout player was Daniel Vorko, a recent signing from Hapoel Ramat Gan, who impressed with his dynamic and aggressive midfield play, taking command as instructed by Cohen.

The return leg is scheduled for next Thursday at 20:30 in Romania, where Beitar Jerusalem aims to secure progression to the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League. Their likely opponent in that round will be Austria Vienna. This victory marks a promising start for the Israeli side in their European campaign.