Azerbaijan's Sabah edge Hapoel Beer-Sheva to reach Champions League league phase

Azerbaijan’s Sabah reached the UEFA Champions League league phase for the first time in the club’s history after a dramatic 5-2 extra-time victory over Israeli side Hapoel Beer-Sheva, securing a 6-4 aggregate win.

Igor Zlatanović gave Hapoel Beer-Sheva the lead in the 10th minute, but Christian Nwachukwu restored parity for Sabah in the 38th minute.

Hapoel Beer-Sheva regained their two-goal aggregate advantage in the 61st minute, moving 4-2 ahead in the tie following a spell of pressure. Guy Mizrahi produced a composed first-time finish from a central position outside the box, capitalizing on a misplaced pass before finding the back of the net with a clipped right-footed effort.

Sabah responded in the 74th minute when Umarali Rakhmonaliev scored with an accurate long-range strike.

Tellur Mutallimov then kept Sabah’s hopes alive with an exquisite volley in the fourth minute of added time, making it 4-4 on aggregate and forcing the match into extra time.

Sabah completed their remarkable comeback in the 101st minute. Aleksey Isaev curled a cross from the left toward the near post, where Orphe Mbina finished to put Sabah 5-4 ahead on aggregate.

Joy-Lance Mickels sealed Sabah’s historic victory in the 115th minute when his shot struck the crossbar before bouncing into the net, giving the Azerbaijani side a 6-4 aggregate lead and securing their place in the UEFA Champions League league phase for the first time.

Stabil.Az