AEK Larnaca vs Beitar Jerusalem

Van der Hoorn's 75th-minute red card was the decisive moment. The experienced Dutch centre-back, formerly of Ajax and Swansea City, was dismissed for a holding offence. Before that, AEK had been holding their own defensively. The dismissal forced manager Mauro Camoranesi — the 2006 World Cup winner in his first competitive match in charge of AEK — to reshuffle, withdrawing winger Amor Layouni for defender Zacharias Adoni, but the damage was done. Beitar's goal arrived within two minutes of the red card, exposing the disorganised ten-man defence to a dead-ball situation.

• Brayan Carabalí (Beitar Jerusalem) — The Colombian centre-back scored the game's only goal from a direct free kick, showing composure at a crucial moment, and was solid defensively throughout. Player of the Match.
• Andreas Paraskevas (AEK Larnaca) — The AEK goalkeeper had little to do for much of the game but could do nothing about Carabalí's well-struck free kick. Kept his side in the contest with steady handling.
• Boris Enow (Beitar Jerusalem) — The Cameroonian midfielder anchored the centre of the pitch in Beitar's 4-3-3, screening the back four and breaking up AEK's advances.

Beitar's victory was built on discipline and timing. The 0-0 half-time score reflects a cagey first period where neither side committed numbers forward. The underlying story is the red card's impact: AEK had kept Beitar at bay for 75 minutes, but the visitors converted their first meaningful opportunity after the dismissal via a set piece. Possession and territory were likely even before the red card, but Beitar controlled the final quarter-hour with a one-man advantage. The away side collected four yellow cards in total, reflecting a physical approach that paid off.

Beitar Jerusalem take a 1-0 lead into the second leg on 30 July 2026. The clean sheet means AEK Larnaca must score at least once in the return leg to stay alive. With the away goals rule abolished in UEFA competitions since 2021, any scoreline that sends the tie to extra time remains a live possibility. The winner of this tie will face either Paide Linnameeskond or FK Zira in the third qualifying round.

For AEK, van der Hoorn's red card carries an automatic one-match suspension, meaning the Cypriot side will be without their captain for the decisive second leg. Mauro Camoranesi's first competitive match as AEK manager ended in defeat, with the Italian World Cup winner tasked with overturning a one-goal deficit on the road.

A game of few chances decided by a moment of indiscipline and a well-taken free kick. Beitar will be satisfied with the clean sheet on the road, while AEK will rue van der Hoorn's red card that cost them a hard-earned draw. The tie remains finely balanced — one goal would change everything in the second leg.