Crvena Zvezda lose 1-0 to Hapoel Beer-Sheva in the first leg

Crvena Zvezda lost 1-0 to Hapoel Beer-Sheva in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier. The Serbian champions now return to Belgrade with a one-goal deficit.

Hapoel scored the only goal before half-time at Haladas Stadium. The return match is scheduled for 11 August at the Rajko Mitic Stadium.

Hapoel carried a narrow lead through the second half

The first leg took place at Haladas Stadium on 4 August. Hapoel entered the break with a 1-0 lead. Crvena Zvezda had the full second half to find an equaliser. Hapoel protected its advantage until the final whistle. The result leaves the tie open before the return. Only one goal separates the teams after the opening match. The score also changed the task facing Zvezda in Belgrade. A home victory is now required to avoid elimination. Hapoel will begin the second leg with its existing lead. Zvezda need a home win to extend their European campaign. No result from the earlier round carries into this contest. The current aggregate score is 1-0 to Hapoel.

Crvena Zvezda reached this stage by beating Larne twice. The away match in Northern Ireland ended 4-0. The return in Belgrade produced a 5-0 victory. Zvezda advanced with nine goals and two clean sheets. That comfortable round did not continue against Hapoel. Zvezda failed to score for the first time in this qualifying campaign. Hapoel also arrived after passing the second qualifying round. The Israeli champions presented stronger resistance in the first meeting. The contrast between the rounds is clear. Zvezda moved from a large lead to a narrow deficit. The earlier goals still show that Zvezda can create chances at home. They do not reduce Hapoel's current advantage.

Belgrade will decide the tie on 11 August

The second leg will be played at the Rajko Mitic Stadium. The club calendar lists the match for the evening of 11 August. Zvezda begins that match one goal behind on aggregate. A draw would send Hapoel through to the next round. A one-goal Zvezda win would level the aggregate score. Extra time follows if the teams remain level after ninety minutes.

Hapoel Beer-Sheva players pose together on the pitch.

A larger home win would take Zvezda through without extra time. Any Hapoel goal would increase the required home margin. Away goals do not receive extra value under the current rules. The total from both matches alone decides the tie. The return therefore starts with a simple confirmed position. Hapoel lead 1-0, while Zvezda have home advantage.

A league match comes before the European return

Crvena Zvezda next host Novi Pazar in the Serbian league. That fixture is scheduled three days before the Hapoel return. The short gap gives the squad limited recovery time. The schedule contains two home matches in four days. The league game does not affect the European aggregate score. It remains a separate competition with separate points.

The Hapoel match remains the deciding part of the qualifying tie. Its winner will move toward the Champions League play-off round. Supporters in Belgrade have already seen one European home win this summer. The next match begins from a less comfortable position. The first leg supplied the exact score for that task. Zvezda have one week to prepare for a one-goal deficit.

One goal separates the teams before the return

Hapoel completed the first leg with a 1-0 advantage. The score remained unchanged throughout the second half. Zvezda now return to the Rajko Mitic Stadium for the deciding match. Their supporters will see the second leg on 11 August. The Serbian champions scored nine times against Larne in the previous round. Hapoel stopped that run in the opening match. Zvezda also kept two clean sheets against Larne. The goal at Haladas Stadium ended that defensive sequence.

The return starts with Hapoel ahead on aggregate. Both clubs know the exact score before the first whistle in Belgrade. A level aggregate score after ninety minutes would bring extra time. Penalties remain possible if neither team then moves ahead. The away-goals rule cannot separate the clubs. Every goal has the same value in the combined score. Zvezda's next European match is therefore decisive. Hapoel need to protect a narrow lead away from home.

The calendar now leads back to Belgrade

The first leg was Zvezda's third European match of the season. The earlier two games both came against Larne. Zvezda played the first Larne match away and the second at home. The Hapoel tie began at Haladas Stadium in Hungary. The club now has two home fixtures on its immediate schedule. Novi Pazar visit first in the Serbian league. Hapoel then arrive for the European return on 11 August. That match completes the third qualifying round tie.

The winner advances to the Champions League play-off round. The defeated team moves into the Europa League play-off round. Zvezda reached this stage with two wins before the loss to Hapoel. Their European record now contains nine goals scored and one conceded. Hapoel own the only goal in the current tie. The return score will be added to that first-leg result. Belgrade therefore hosts the final ninety minutes of the scheduled tie. Extra time is used only if the aggregate score is level.