Hapoel Be'er Sheva Stuns Red Star Belgrade With 2-0 Win Amid Serbian Backlash

Hapoel Be'er Sheva shocked expectations by defeating Red Star Belgrade 2-0 in Belgrade on August 12, 2026, securing a 3-0 aggregate victory and advancing to the UEFA Champions League playoffs against Sabah. The Israeli champions' win was widely unexpected, especially at the Marakana stadium, where few predicted their success.

In Serbia, the loss sparked harsh criticism of Red Star's performance, described as "catastrophic" by local media. The highest player rating given was only 5.5 out of 10, reflecting widespread disappointment. Coach Dejan Stanković faced particular scrutiny; he was sent off during the match, missed the postgame press conference, and reportedly resigned afterward. Serbian outlets assigned him the lowest rating of 4, citing poor decisions and loss of control as key factors in the defeat.

Former Red Star striker Andrija Kaludjerović commented that Stanković's failure to qualify for the Champions League in four attempts weighed heavily on him and affected the team. Arena Sport analyst Dejan Čelar criticized the team for relying on expensive individual talent without tactical improvement since Stanković's tenure began.

Tensions extended to the fans, who reportedly expelled the players from the stadium after the match, shouting "Get out of here," preventing them from thanking or apologizing to supporters. Stanković's assistant, Nenad Sakić, had to manage the fallout, expressing regret and acknowledging Hapoel Be'er Sheva's clinical finishing. The episode marks a significant setback for Red Star as they face an uncertain future following this Champions League exit.