Sabah Makes Champions League Debut After Thrilling Playoff Victory

BAKU, Azerbaijan — Sabah, an Azerbaijani football club established nine years ago, has qualified for the main competition of the Champions League following a dramatic playoff victory on Tuesday.

In a tense match, Sabah was on the brink of elimination against Israeli champions Hapoel Beer-Sheva when substitute Tellur Mutallimov scored in the final moments of stoppage time, forcing the game into extra time. Sabah's Orphe Mbina then netted a header in the 101st minute, followed by Joy-Lance Mickels scoring in the 115th minute, concluding the second leg with a score of 5-2 and an aggregate of 6-4.

Hapoel Beer-Sheva faced a challenging situation, finishing the match with nine players after leading 4-2 on aggregate in the 61st minute, when Guy Mizrahi scored from outside the penalty area. Both Djibril Diop and Eliel Peretz received second yellow cards during extra time. Sabah will join Como from Italy as newcomers in the Champions League's main phase draw scheduled for Thursday.