Hansen Haunts Hapoel as Vikingur Triumph 2-1

Vikingur Reykjavik wrote another chapter in their European fairytale with a pulsating 2-1 victory over Hapoel Beer Sheva in the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round, Nikolaj Hansen emerging as the Icelandic heroes’ late saviour under the Reykjavik floodlights.

Vikingur Reykjavik’s Dream Start

The hosts erupted three minutes after the restart when Hansen, the gangly forward who tormented Hapoel all evening, latched onto Oliver Ekroth’s raking diagonal and buried a clinical finish past Ofir Marciano. The eruption from the Vikingur Ultras behind the goal shook the stands – this was no longer plucky underdogs but a side believing they belonged.

Hapoel Beer Sheva’s Lightning Response

But Kings Kangwa, already booked for a cynical first-half foul, silenced them within three minutes. The Zambian met Igor Zlatanovic’s cutback with a vicious first-time strike that left Aron Snær Friðriksson grasping at thin air. Suddenly the Israelis were rampant – Miguel Vitor’s yellow card for scything down Valdimar Þór Ingimundarson in the 63rd minute the only blemish as they pressed for a second.

The VAR Heartbreak

Hapoel thought they’d stolen it when Niv Yehoshua bundled home in the 77th minute, only for the linesman’s flag to cut short their celebrations after a torturous VAR check. The injustice fuelled Vikingur’s final assault.

Hansen’s Icelandic Heroics

With four minutes left, Óskar Borgþórsson’s floated cross found Hansen peeling away at the back post. His downward header bounced up and over Marciano, sending the Vikingur bench into delirium. Even the late introduction of Eitan Peretz couldn’t salvage Hapoel’s hopes, their five substitutions disrupting rhythm when they needed composure.

For Vikingur, this was more than progression – it was proof their 4-3-3 system could outmanoeuvre seasoned continental opponents. For Hapoel, the long flight home carried the bitter taste of missed opportunity after dominating large spells. Both know the real work starts now – Vikingur’s fairytale continues against sterner tests, while Ran Kozuch’s side must regroup quickly for their Europa League playoff.