Hapoel Be'er Sheva Upsets Red Star Belgrade to Reach Champions League Playoff

Hapoel Be'er Sheva achieved a remarkable victory on Tuesday by defeating Red Star Belgrade 2-0 away, securing a 3-0 aggregate win and advancing to the Champions League playoff round for the first time in their history. The Israeli champions will next face Sabah from Azerbaijan, with a chance to enter Europe's premier club competition for the first time.

Red Star Belgrade, the Serbian champions, came into the two-legged tie with an impressive run of four consecutive wins and a dominant 17-1 goal record this season. Despite this, Be'er Sheva controlled much of the match, applying intense pressure and creating multiple scoring opportunities. The visitors took the lead in the 61st minute through Igor Zlatanovic, assisted by Jovan East, and doubled their advantage in the 79th minute with East scoring himself from an Eliel Peretz cross.

The match saw a turning point when Red Star's coach, Dejan Stankovic, was sent off after protesting a denied penalty early in the second half. Be'er Sheva maintained their composure and continued to threaten, with several missed chances including a shot that hit the post. Late in stoppage time, Red Star was reduced to ten men after a red card for Mohammed Abu Fani, but the result remained unchanged.

The Israeli side celebrated their historic achievement with their fans who traveled to Belgrade. Key players included Jovan East, who scored and assisted, and Igor Zlatanovic, who scored the opener. The victory marks a significant milestone for Hapoel Be'er Sheva as they aim to compete on the continental stage.

The next step for Be'er Sheva is the playoff round against Azerbaijan's Sabah, with the winner qualifying for the Champions League group stage for the first time in the club's history.