What's happened
Sabah has advanced to the Champions League group stage after overturning a late deficit against Hapoel Beersheba, with Mbina and Mickels scoring in extra time to seal a 6-4 aggregate win. Hapoel finish with two red cards in extra time; the return of two matches follows a dramatic playoff.
What's behind the headline?
Analysis
- Sabah’s late surge demonstrates resilience, turning a two-legged tie around after extra time.
- The match highlights the volatility of playoff ties, where a single goal can recalibrate a whole competition.
- Hapoel Beersheba’s discipline issues in extra time could invite scrutiny of coaching decisions and squad depth.
- This outcome shapes the broader Champions League draw, with Sabah joining Como in the main phase.
How we got here
Hapoel Beersheba had taken a 4-2 lead in the tie, but Sabah forced extra time with Tellur Mutallimov's stoppage-time strike in the second leg. The Azerbaijani side subsequently netted twice in extra time to overturn the deficit and reach the main draw alongside Como.
Our analysis
The Times of Israel reports the late-minutes swing and extra-time scoring, AP News confirms the same sequence, and both note Hapoel Beersheba’s two red cards and the broader Champions League context.
Go deeper
- What does Sabah’s win mean for Azerbaijan’s representation in Europe this season?
- How will Hapoel Beersheba regroup after this setback?
- Which clubs join Sabah and Como in the main draw?
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