Sabah FC produced a remarkable comeback against Hapoel Be'er Sheva to secure a place in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League after a dramatic second leg that had everything from goalkeeping errors to extra-time heroics.

The Baku side found themselves under pressure after an uncertain display from goalkeeper Stas Pokatilov put the hosts on the back foot. Zlatanovic opened the scoring for Hapoel Be'er Sheva, but Christian Nwachukwu restored parity before half-time to keep Sabah FC's hopes alive.

The drama intensified after the break when Mizrahi put the visitors back in front. However, Umarali Rakhmonaliev struck to level the score once again, before Tellur Mutallimov delivered the decisive moment deep into stoppage time, scoring in the 94th minute to send the tie into extra time.

That was where Valdas Dambrauskas' tactical decisions paid off. Substitute Orphé Mbina completed the turnaround by converting a cross from Aleksey Isayev, before Joy-Lance Mickels added another goal to put the result beyond doubt.

2026-27, Champions League

Sabah FC - Hapoel Beer-Sheva 5:2 (1:1)
Goals: Zlatanović, 10 (0:1); Nwachukwu, 38 (1:1); Mizrahi, 61 (1:2); Rakhmonaliev, 74 (2:2); Mutallimov, 90 (3:2); Mbina, 101 (4:2); Mickels J-L., 115 (5:2)

Sabah FC: Pokatilov; Сольве; Dasdemirov R-n; Puchacz; Zedadka A. (Mutallimov, 87); Rakhmonaliev (Severina, 82); Lepinjica; Simić V. (Khaibulaev, 87); Nwachukwu (Iasyev A., 63); Parris (Mbina, 63); Mickels J-L.
Substitution: Iasyev A. (from 63); Mbina (from 63); Severina (from 82); Mutallimov (from 87); Khaibulaev (from 87)
Bench: Ramazanov A.; Erivaldo; Lachaab
Yellow Cards: Parris 21; Lepinjica 73

Hapoel Beer-Sheva: Marciano; Mizrahi (Baltaxa, 78); Vítor M. (Diop Djibril, 46); Amador; Rotman (Davidzada, 101); Lucas Ventura; Peretz E. (till 116); Ahmed Z.; Yehoshua; East (Malede, 78); Zlatanović (Abu Rumi, 35)
Substitution: Abu Rumi (from 35); Diop Djibril (from 46 till 100); Baltaxa (from 78); Malede (from 78); Davidzada (from 101)
Bench: Stoyanov Y.; João Victor; Kanaan; Ganah
Yellow Cards: Peretz E. 83, 116; Diop Djibril 89, 100; Malede 92
Red cards: Diop Djibril 100', Peretz E. 116'