Crvena Zvezda 0-2 Hapoel Beer Sheva: Israeli side take control of Champions League qualifying tie

Hapoel Beer Sheva produced a composed and clinical away performance to beat Crvena Zvezda 2-0 in the UEFA Champions League qualifier played in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The result puts the Israeli champions in a commanding position heading into the return leg, while Crvena Zvezda — widely known as Red Star Belgrade — face an uphill battle to keep their European campaign alive.

Match overview

Playing in front of a passionate home crowd, Crvena Zvezda were expected to set the tempo, but Hapoel Beer Sheva had other ideas. The visitors soaked up pressure, stayed compact, and struck with precision when opportunities arrived. A first-half goal gave them the lead, before a late second sealed an emphatic away victory and a clean sheet on a night where the Serbian side never quite found their rhythm.

Key moments

• Hapoel break through: After weathering early Red Star attacks, Hapoel Beer Sheva punished the home defence with a well-worked move to take a 1-0 lead into the interval.
• Red Star response falls flat: Crvena Zvezda pushed for an equaliser after the restart, but the final pass and finishing touch were missing in the final third.
• Visitors seal it late: With Red Star committing men forward, Hapoel capitalised on the counter-attack in the closing stages to make it 2-0 and effectively take command of the tie.

Tactical story

Crvena Zvezda dominated territory and possession in spells, but Hapoel Beer Sheva’s defensive structure was excellent. The Israeli side pressed patiently, forced Red Star into wide areas, and then looked to break quickly through the middle. Their midfielders consistently found space between the lines, while the full-backs were largely kept quiet by Hapoel’s disciplined wide play. As the match wore on, the home side grew more desperate, and that allowed Hapoel to exploit the gaps on the break.

Standout performers

Hapoel Beer Sheva’s central midfield pair controlled the game without possession, while their goalkeeper made several steady saves when called upon. At the heart of the defence, Hapoel’s centre-backs were quick to snuff out danger, giving the forwards the confidence to press high. For Crvena Zvezda, the wide attackers showed glimpses of quality, but there was little service to the striker and no one able to produce a moment of inspiration in the final third.

What the result means

The 2-0 scoreline gives Hapoel Beer Sheva a significant advantage as they prepare to host the return leg in Israel. Crvena Zvezda, one of the most decorated clubs in Serbian football, will now need to overturn the deficit on the road — a challenge that requires a much sharper attacking display than the one produced here. For Hapoel, the dream of reaching the Champions League group stage remains alive, and they will take considerable belief from a near-perfect away European performance.