Sabah FA Stun Hapoel Beer Sheva 5-2 in Champions League Epic

Sabah FA’s Champions League Night of Glory

Sabah FA scripted a Champions League fairytale with a breathtaking 5-2 extra-time demolition of Hapoel Beer Sheva in their play-off first leg, a match that swung from despair to euphoria in the Azerbaijan night. Valdas Dambrauskas’ side showed the heart of lions after going behind twice, before tearing through their ragged opponents when it mattered most.

Hapoel Beer Sheva’s False Dawn

It started horribly for Sabah. Igor Zlatanovic thought he’d put Hapoel ahead after 3 minutes, only for VAR to intervene. Seven minutes later, the Serbian striker made no mistake – punishing slack marking to slot home. The hosts were rocking, Kaheem Parris’ 21st-minute yellow summing up their frustration.

Then came the twist. Christian Nwachukwu announced himself to European football with a 38th-minute thunderbolt, erupting the stadium. Hapoel’s hopes took another hit when goalscorer Zlatanovic limped off moments later, replaced by Mohammad Abu Rumi.

The Pendulum Swings Wildly

Hapoel retook control through Gal Mitzrahi’s 61st-minute strike, but Sabah refused to die. When teenage substitute Oleksiy Mbina teed up Umarali Rakhmonaliev’s 74th-minute equalizer, you could smell the belief. Tural Mutallimov’s 94th-minute winner in stoppage time sent the stands into bedlam – but the best was yet to come.

Chaos engulfed Hapoel in extra time. Diop’s 100th-minute red card for a second yellow sparked the collapse. Oleksiy Mbina (101′) and Joy Mickels (115′) ran riot against the nine men, Peretz joining Diop for an early bath after a reckless challenge. The statistics told the story – Sabah’s 33 total shots to Hapoel’s 14, their 54% possession, 11 corners to 3.

Champions League Dreams Alive for Sabah FA

This was more than a win – it was a statement. With Mbina’s direct running (2 assists) and Isayev’s creative spark (2 assists off the bench), Sabah showed they belong on this stage. For Hapoel, a disastrous night leaves their European hopes hanging by a thread. The second leg in Israel now looks a formality after this historic Sabah FA performance.

Key Moments

10′ ⚽ Hapoel Beer Sheva — I. Zlatanovic

38′ ⚽ Sabah FA — C. Nwachukwu

61′ ⚽ Hapoel Beer Sheva — G. Mizrahi

74′ ⚽ Sabah FA — U. Rakhmonaliyev (assist: O. Mbina)

90+4′ ⚽ Sabah FA — T. Mutallimov (assist: T. Puchacz)

100′ 🟥 Hapoel Beer Sheva — D. T. Diop sent off

101′ ⚽ Sabah FA — O. Mbina (assist: A. Isayev)

115′ ⚽ Sabah FA — J. Mickels (assist: A. Isayev)

117′ 🟥 Hapoel Beer Sheva — E. Peretz sent off

🔮 Before kick-off: our match preview & prediction.