Hapoel Be'er Sheva continued its European journey with another defeat against Bayer Leverkusen.
Hapoel Be'er Sheva is always the underdog in an away match against Bayer Leverkusen, but the club's current situation is making the gaps even wider. The Israeli side maintains poor form with five winless league matches, and in the recent matches, they failed to impress. Moreover, the squad that traveled to Germany have some significant absences.
Miguel Vitor, one of the team's experienced players, was injured a few weeks ago. Elton Ecolatse, who scored a marvelous goal in the previous match between the teams, is injured. The main absentee is Josué Pesqueira. The Portuguese key player had a sequence of discipline violations, and most recently, he punched one of his teammates in training. The club decided to suspend him, and therefore he could not be available for the team.
Yossi Abukasis is known for his defensive approach, and he always prefers to be an underdog. In the empty BayArena, he hoped that it would be another match to show how successful he is in this kind of game. Hapoel Be'er Sheva barely shot in the first half and usually stayed in the defensive side. In the 29th minute, Bayer Leverkusen scored the first. Patrick Schick returned from an injury and scored his debut Europa League goal.
It didn't take too long for Bayer Leverkusen to score at the beginning of the second half. Leon Bailey scored in the 48th minute, adding a goal to his tally after a brace in the first match. The German team could feel more comfortable with a 2-0 lead, getting close to another win.
Then came a huge mistake by Bayer Leverkusen's defense. Tin Jedvaj tried to pass a ball to Lukáš Hrádecký. His try was not accurate, and Itamar Shviro used it to take the ball and score in front of the empty goal. Hapoel Be'er Sheva had a few minutes of hope that they can equalize, although they didn't become more dominant.
All was over in the 76th minute when David Keltjens made a foul 18 meters from the goal. Kerim Demirbay took the free kick, and the ball was deflected from the crossbar to the net. Four minutes later, a mistake by Ohad Levita was successfully converted to a goal by Lucas Alario. In the end, Bayer Leverkusen defeated Hapoel Be'er Sheva as expected, 4-1.
Hapoel Be'er Sheva didn't think that they would win tonight. The campaign in the Europa League might be over soon, and Hapoel Be'er Sheva will need to focus again in the league. Their next mission would be to win, as they will play against Hapoel Haifa.
Thumbnail photo by the Europa League official Twitter
Hapoel Be'er Sheva drew 0-0 at Dinamo Zagreb to open their Europa League return, ahead of a brutal schedule and no home matches this season.
Aston Villa overcame Maccabi Tel Aviv 2–0 in a Europa League night marked by police protests, fan bans, and off-field political tension.
Ivory Coast edged Nigeria 3-2 in the final of a solidarity tournament among eight African teams, organised by Sudanese refugees in Tel Aviv.
Hapoel Be’er Sheva fans were barred from AZ Alkmaar. Why does the country with deep Jewish football roots now refuse to host Israeli supporters?
Cairo’s derby drew a record number of crowd for the first time in years, as Al Ahly and Zamalek fans united in October War banners and Israel chants.
Manchester City’s guilty verdict is spilling into geopolitics, as Abu Dhabi hints at curbing UAE investment in Britain over the club’s fate.
Israel's national team finished bottom of its Nations League group, as politically charged clashes versus Ireland overshadowed the campaign.
Israel opens a homeless Nations League campaign against Austria, Kosovo, and Ireland, with the Gaza conflict looming over every match played.
Hapoel Be'er Sheva drew 0-0 at Dinamo Zagreb to open their Europa League return, ahead of a brutal schedule and no home matches this season.
Maccabi Tel Aviv routed ten-man Hapoel 4-1 at Bloomfield, in a fiery derby marked by red cards and pyro chaos.
For the first time since Oct. 7, 2023, Palestinian club football returns this weekend as 226 teams compete across three war-scarred regions.
After nine years at Liverpool, Salah left for Trabzonspor — the money, the family, and the love of being the underdog all played their part.
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the 2026 World Cup Final, ending Lionel Messi's dream World Cup with heartbreak.
Thousands of Argentina fans transformed Times Square before the 2026 World Cup final, all united to thank Lionel Messi.
Spain were ruthless in Dallas as Oyarzabal and Dani Olmo starred, leaving France's Bastille Day to end in deep disappointment for Deschamps.
Norway outplayed England for most of a sweltering Miami classic, but two Bellingham strikes in extra time sent the Three Lions to the semis.
Egypt pushed Argentina to the limit in a 3-2 World Cup thriller, but left the pitch furious at the referee and convinced justice was denied.
Ayoub Bouaddi chose Morocco over France at 18 and lit up a quarter-final about colonial history, dual identity, and what it means to belong.
Merino's late goal gave Spain a 1-0 win over Portugal as Ronaldo left the World Cup stage in tears in what many believe was his final match.
Egypt beat Australia on penalties in Dallas to reach the last 16 for the first time, with Salah's Panenka the highlight of a historic night.
Diop headed Morocco level in the 91st minute and Saibari slotted the winner in the shootout as Morocco reached the World Cup quarter-finals.
Messi and the Jordanian Messi both scored as Argentina beat Jordan 3-1 in Arlington, with records broken and keffiyehs flying in the stands.
France beat Iraq 3-0 in Philadelphia, but the two-hour lightning delay stole the show, making it officially the longest World Cup game ever.
Saibari scored inside two minutes as Morocco beat Scotland 1-0 in Boston, leaving the Scots on the very brink of 2026 World Cup elimination.
Senegal relived their legendary 2002 magic for an hour, but Kylian Mbappe struck twice to sink them and seal France's 3-1 win in New Jersey.
Qatar stole a last-gasp draw from Switzerland and Morocco held Brazil 1-1 — two results that announced Arab football’s full arrival at 2026.
Azteca stadium hosts its third World Cup as Mexico City buzzes with pride, protest, and the deep belief that football has always lived here.
Crystal Palace beat Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig to win the Conference League in the most romantic underdog final in European football history.
Maccabi Tel Aviv edge Hapoel Be'er Sheva 2–1 in a dramatic Israeli Cup Final at Teddy Stadium, denying the champions a historic Double.
With tensions easing, Iran’s 2026 World Cup participation remains uncertain, as FIFA, politics, and regional dynamics collide.
CAF shocks African football by stripping Senegal’s title and awarding Morocco the AFCON crown after a chaotic final decision.
From silent protests to daring escapes, Iran’s women footballers turned a tournament into a global story of courage, politics, and survival.
Hapoel Be’er Sheva fans were barred from AZ Alkmaar. Why does the country with deep Jewish football roots now refuse to host Israeli supporters?