UEFA Champions League 2nd Qualifying Round
Maccabi Tel Aviv 0 - 1 FT Pafos
Player Cards
Season performance ratings for players in this match
Maccabi Tel Aviv
Midfielders
N. Michail
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Bruno
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Goldar
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Luckassen
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
K. Pileas
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
V. Dragomir
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
I. Sunjic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Pepe
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Orsic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Anderson Silva
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Jaja
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
BENCH
P. Petrou
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Papadoudis
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Quina
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Bassouamina
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
K. Sema
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Tankovic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
B. Langa
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Pedrao
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Ilia
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Correia
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Pafos
Midfielders
Y. Gerafi
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
T. Asante
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
N. Stojic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Camara
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
R. Revivo
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
I. Sissokho
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
B. Lederman
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Peretz
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Weslley Patati
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Turgeman
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
O. Davida
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
BENCH
O. Melika
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
R. Mishpati
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Heitor
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
S. Jehezkel
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
R. Shlomo
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Gropper
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
E. Madmon
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
N. Ben Harush
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
I. Noy
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
I. Shahar
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
I. Ben Hamo
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
I. Nicolaescu
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22/07/2025 | Pafos | 1 - 1 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | UEFA Champions League | Alphamega Stadium |
22/07/2025
Maccabi Tel Aviv Win
Pafos Win
Draw
AI-powered match analysis and previews to help you decide which games are worth watching
Melika's Madness Hands Pafos a Champions League Lifeline
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 28/100. A moment of recklessness in the 30th minute transformed a competitive European tie into a one-sided affair, leaving Maccabi Tel Aviv chasing ghosts at TSC Arena.
Violent Conduct Shifts the Balance
For 30 minutes, Maccabi Tel Aviv held their own against Pafos in a Champions League qualifier that promised competitive intensity. Then Ofek Melika's moment of madness—violent conduct that earned him a straight red—evaporated the balance entirely. What had been an open contest became a suffocation. Ten men cannot sustain pressure against a team hungry for European redemption, and Pafos, languishing in 26th position across their domestic league with just six points from six games, smelled blood.
Jaja Capitalizes on Chaos
Jaja needed no second invitation. Ten minutes after Melika's dismissal, the Pafos forward latched onto a perfectly weighted through-ball from Bruno in the 40th minute and buried the chance with the composure of a poacher who knows his window is closing. One goal. One moment. The stakes shifted irreversibly. Maccabi Tel Aviv, forced to chase the game with a numerical disadvantage, never recovered the thread.
European Ambitions Derailed
This was supposed to be Maccabi Tel Aviv's stage—a home fixture at TSC Arena where they could build momentum in the Champions League pathway. Instead, they leave with nothing but regret and a mountain to climb in the return leg. For Pafos, a team whose domestic form reads like a struggle (one win in six games, a goal difference of minus-five), this is an upset factor of seismic proportions. A single moment of indiscipline cost Tel Aviv everything.
Key Questions
How did the red card for Ofek Melika impact the match?
The 30th-minute dismissal for violent conduct destroyed Tel Aviv's structure. Pafos exploited the numerical advantage within ten minutes through Jaja's clinical finish, shifting momentum irreversibly.
What does this result mean for Pafos' European hopes?
A 1-0 away victory is gold dust. Despite domestic struggles, Pafos now has a genuine pathway through this tie with Tel Aviv facing an uphill battle in the return leg.
How is the Futmetrix Score calculated?
The Futmetrix Score (0-100) combines multiple factors: match intensity, competitive balance, stakes importance, and entertainment value to help you decide if this match is worth watching.
Tactical Tightrope at TSC Arena
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 8/100. This 2nd Qualifying Round tie hinges on clinical efficiency as both sides search for stability in the early stages of their European campaign.
The Setup
As Maccabi Tel Aviv prepare to host Pafos on July 30, 2025, the narrative is dictated by a razor-thin Balance. Both teams enter this fixture at TSC Arena knowing that a single lapse in concentration could derail their continental ambitions. For Pafos, the current Form guide shows a side struggling for consistency, having secured only one victory in their last five outings (LDWDL). This lack of momentum suggests a cautious approach as they travel for this crucial leg.
While the Stakes are high for the progression towards the lucrative league stage, the lack of established Stars in both lineups places the emphasis firmly on collective organization rather than individual brilliance. Maccabi Tel Aviv will look to exploit their home advantage to dictate the tempo, but Pafos have proven they can be a frustrating opponent when forced into a defensive shell.
Key Battle
The primary conflict will unfold between the Maccabi midfield unit and the offensive transitions of Pafos. Without a dominant playmaker on either side, control of the central zones will be a war of attrition. Pafos will rely heavily on L. Dimata to provide a focal point for their attacks, testing the discipline of the Maccabi backline which must remain alert to quick counter-thrusts throughout the ninety minutes.
Our Prediction
The match is likely to develop into a tactical stalemate. Expect Maccabi Tel Aviv to dominate possession without finding the necessary penetration to break down a compact Pafos block. A cagey 1-1 draw seems the most probable outcome, leaving the tie perfectly poised for the return leg. Neither side appears ready to take the risks required to secure a definitive advantage early on.
Key Questions
Should I watch this match?
Watch if you enjoy high-tension tactical battles where one mistake decides everything.
What's the predicted outcome?
A 1-1 draw is expected due to the balanced nature of both squads.
Where are Maccabi Tel Aviv and Pafos in the league table?
As a qualifying round, domestic standings are secondary to their current European aggregate.
What is Pafos's current form?
Pafos is currently struggling with a mixed run of LDWDL over five games.
What does this mean for qualification?
The winner progresses toward the playoff line for the UCL league stage.
How is the Futmetrix Score calculated?
The Futmetrix Score (0-100) combines multiple factors: match intensity, competitive balance, stakes importance, and entertainment value to help you decide if this match is worth watching.