Sabah clinches Champions League debut after dramatic extra-time win over Hapoel Beer-Sheva
Sabah earned a spot in the Champions League group stage by overturning Israeli champions Hapoel Beer-Sheva in extra time following a last-minute equaliser.
Bodo/Glimt advanced easily after a 3-0 victory over NEC Nijmegen, while LASK reduced a 5-0 first-leg loss to Celtic by scoring five unanswered goals, though Celtic still moved to the Europa League. In the other tie, Sabah, founded eight years ago, faced Israeli champions Hapoel Beer-Sheva, who had won the first leg 2-1. A stoppage-time goal by Tellur Mutallimov forced extra time, and Gabon striker Orphe Mbina followed with a header, with Joy-Lance Mickels completing the comeback.
The match ended 5-2, giving Sabah a 6-4 aggregate win and a debut in the Champions League proper. Celtic’s drop and the upcoming draws in Monaco will finalize the 36-team field.
Why it matters
The result introduces a new Azerbaijani club to Europe's premier football competition, reshaping the tournament lineup.
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