Vikingur Reykjavik produced a memorable night in the Icelandic capital as they edged past Israeli side Hapoel Beer Sheva 2-1 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League first qualifying round tie. The match, played on 22 July 2026 under the midnight sun at the Vikingur Stadium, saw the home side come from behind to seize a narrow advantage heading into the return leg.

Match Overview

The encounter was a tale of two halves. Hapoel Beer Sheva started brightly and took a deserved lead midway through the first period, but Vikingur responded with a powerful second-half display, scoring twice to turn the tie on its head. The result gives the Icelandic champions a slender but crucial lead as they look to reach the second qualifying round for the first time in a decade.

Key Moments

• 28th minute – Hapoel take the lead: A swift counter-attack caught the Vikingur defence out of position. Israeli striker Rotem Hatuel controlled a through ball on the edge of the box and slotted calmly past home goalkeeper Ingvar Jónsson.
• 55th minute – Vikingur equalise: A well-worked set piece saw Arnar Jónsson rise highest to head home a corner from the left. The crowd erupted as the ball nestled into the far corner.
• 74th minute – Vikingur complete the comeback: A speculative long-range effort from Kristján Finnbogason took a wicked deflection off a Hapoel defender, wrong-footing the visiting goalkeeper and landing in the net. Finnbogason’s strike proved to be the winner.

Tactical Story

Vikingur Reykjavik, managed by Milan Janković, started with a cautious 4-4-1-1 formation, looking to absorb pressure and hit on the break. However, after falling behind, they switched to a more aggressive 4-3-3, pushing full-backs higher and pressing Hapoel’s midfield. The change disrupted the visitors’ rhythm and allowed Vikingur to dominate possession in the second half.

Hapoel Beer Sheva, under Eli Levy, had controlled the first 45 minutes with a compact 4-2-3-1 shape, but they struggled to cope with the increased intensity after the interval. Their defensive line dropped too deep, inviting pressure that eventually led to the two goals.

Standout Players

• Kristján Finnbogason (Vikingur): The 26-year-old midfielder was a constant threat going forward and his deflected winner was the moment of brilliance the home side needed. His work rate off the ball was also crucial in pressing Hapoel’s backline.
• Arnar Jónsson (Vikingur): The central defender not only scored the equaliser but also marshalled the defence superbly after the break, keeping Hapoel’s forwards quiet in the second half.
• Rotem Hatuel (Hapoel): The away side’s most dangerous player, his first-half goal and intelligent movement caused problems throughout. If Hapoel are to overturn the deficit in the second leg, Hatuel will be key.

Champions League Context & Next Leg

This was the opening match of the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League qualifying phase. Vikingur Reykjavik, champions of the Icelandic Besta deild karla, are aiming to reach the group stage for the first time in their history. Hapoel Beer Sheva, regular participants in European competition, will now need to win by at least two clear goals at their home ground, Turner Stadium, in the second leg on 29 July to progress.

The result gives Icelandic football a significant boost – a home win over an Israeli side with greater European pedigree is a notable scalp. For Hapoel, the task is clear: they must improve their second-half performance and find a way to break down a resilient Vikingur defence while keeping a clean sheet at home.