Sheriff Tiraspol
Maccabi Tel Aviv Humiliate Sheriff Tiraspol in Europa League Qualifier
Maccabi Tel Aviv delivered a brutal 5-0 demolition of Sheriff Tiraspol in the UEFA Europa League 2nd Qualifying Round, turning the Moldovan side’s fortress into a house of horrors within five minutes and never relenting.
Sheriff’s Nightmare Start
The nightmare began instantly. Saied Abu Farkhi, fed by Ido Shahar, slashed through Sheriff’s defense like a hot knife through butter to score after just five minutes. The Moldovan champions, usually so disciplined under Victor Mihailov, were still reeling when Dor Peretz doubled the lead in the 29th minute, finishing coolly after Roy Revivo’s incisive pass.
Sheriff’s frustration boiled over as Baye Assane Ciss saw yellow for a reckless challenge in the 17th minute – the first of five cautions that told the story of a team unraveling in real time.
Maccabi’s Relentless Assault
Any hope of a second-half revival evaporated within eight minutes of the restart. Sagiv Jehezkel, who’d been booked moments earlier, compounded Sheriff’s misery by tapping in Revivo’s second assist of the night in the 53rd minute.
The Israeli side smelled blood. Abu Farkhi converted a 74th-minute penalty before Issouf Sissokho rubbed salt in the wounds with Maccabi’s fifth just four minutes later. Sheriff’s discipline collapsed completely – three more yellows flashed in a chaotic seven-minute spell as Mihailov’s men finished with five cautions to Maccabi’s one.
What This Means for Both Sides
For Ronny Deila’s Maccabi, this was a statement victory that sends them into the next qualifying round with swaggering confidence. The Israeli side’s clinical finishing (five goals from limited statistical dominance) showcased their European pedigree.
Sheriff Tiraspol, meanwhile, face soul-searching after their heaviest European defeat in recent memory. The Moldovan champions must regroup quickly before the second leg – but at 5-0 down, this tie already looks beyond salvation.
Key Moments
5′ ⚽ Maccabi Tel Aviv — S. Abu Farkhi (assist: I. Shahar)
29′ ⚽ Maccabi Tel Aviv — D. Peretz (assist: R. Revivo)
53′ ⚽ Maccabi Tel Aviv — S. Jehezkel (assist: R. Revivo)
74′ ⚽ Maccabi Tel Aviv — S. Abu Farkhi🔮 Before kick-off: our match preview & prediction.
