Late drama in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League 1st qualifying round tie at Sammy Ofer Stadium on Tuesday saw Frantzdy Pierrot net a dramatic winner to help Maccabi Haifa claim a 2-1 success over Hamrun Spartans - the victory securing a place in the 2nd Qualifying Round for the home side (6-1 aggregate).
Substitute Pierrot made an impact following his introduction and put Maccabi Haifa ahead with six minutes to go. The attacker, sent on after 73 minutes, finished low into the centre of the goal after combining with Dolev Haziza.
The win for Messay Dego's side also came thanks to a goal from Erik Shuranov, with Joseph Mbong on target for the visitors.
Mbong had opened the scoring for Hamrun after 31 minutes low into the left corner. The lead, though, did not last as Shuranov hauled the sides level with 69 minutes gone. Haziza supplied the assist - the first of two for him. That spurred on M Haifa and the Pierrot winner came 15 minutes later.
Although it didn't ultimately impact the result, the M Haifa quartet of Dia Sabi'A, Ori Dahan, Mahmoud Jaber, and Shuranov did spurn big chances in the game.
Highlights
WHAT IT MEANS:
Maccabi Haifa advance to the 2nd Qualifying Round on aggregate (6-1), while Hamrun Spartans will be transferred to the Conference League 2nd Qualifying Round.
IN THE GOALS:
With zero goal, Mbong, Shuranov, and Pierrot rank joint first in the early scoring charts for the 2023/2024 Champions League season.
INJURY CONCERN:
Joseph Mbong was taken off in the 78th minute as Hamrun had to make a change.
VAR IN ACTION:
Hamrun Spartans were ahead 1-0 when Maccabi Haifa had a Tjaronn Chery penalty overturned in the 67th minute.