Hapoel owned the ball with 66% possession and outshot Dinamo 15-7, but the final touch never arrived. The hosts built 0.82 xG to Dinamo’s 0.31, hit the woodwork once and created the only big chance of the game. Igor Zlatanović missed that big chance, and Forson Amankwah rattled the frame, two moments that summed up a night of almosts. Across 29 touches in Dinamo’s box, Hapoel kept asking questions yet found a crowd of blue shirts in the way.

Even with territorial control, shot quality was limited to just two on target from Hapoel. Dinamo’s defenders blocked nine attempts, a huge swing factor that kept the clean sheet intact. Corners came 6-2 for Hapoel and final-third entries were 68-30, but the visitors repeatedly survived the final action. First half splits (64%-36% possession, xG 0.43-0.21) and second half splits (68%-32%, xG 0.40-0.11) told the same story: pressure without payoff.

How Dinamo stayed in it

Dinamo won the duel count overall at 53% and made more tackles, 17 to 8. They also led clearances 27-17, which fits the eye test of sustained Hapoel pressure. Wide areas mattered: Dinamo’s crossing was more efficient at 3/11 versus Hapoel’s 3/22. The visitors endured long spells without the ball, but they made their defensive moments count.

Dominik Kotarski stacked timely interventions, posting two saves, four high claims and 0.23 goals prevented. Bruno Goda’s all-action 7.4 Sofascore Rating reflected seven duels won, four tackles and four clearances. Sergi Domínguez chipped in two tackles, two interceptions and a block, while captain Josip Mišić added 10 recoveries and three interceptions in front of the back line. An early setback, Luka Kačavenda’s injury at 24 minutes, forced Miha Zajc on and reshaped Dinamo’s midfield, but the defensive resilience held to the end.

Passing lanes and territory

Hapoel’s 4-3-3 produced a heavy possession footprint: 694 passes to Dinamo’s 352, with 619 accurate for a sharp 89% clip. Final-third play tilted even more, as Hapoel made 68 entries and completed 145 of 193 actions there. Yet the delivery phase lagged, with just three accurate crosses from 22 attempts. Dinamo connected fewer entries but matched the crossing output at 3/11, making more of limited territory.

Two Hapoel centre-backs drove the platform. Matan Baltaxa completed 131 of 142 passes with 151 touches, and Miguel Vítor hit 128 of 135 with 149 touches. Guy Mizrahi added two key passes from right back, and Niv Yehoshua went 70 of 76 while helping control tempo. Up front, Zahi Ahmed produced two key passes and an on-target effort, and Yonas Malede drew five fouls to keep attacks alive. For Dinamo, wide runners like Mislav Oršić and Mateo Lisica offered transition outlets before changes, with Oršić supplying two key passes and the visitors leaning on long balls, 23 of 60 completed.

MVP: Miguel Vítor leads from the back

On a night ruled by structure, Miguel Vítor was the calm center of it all. The Hapoel captain earned a 7.6 Sofascore Rating by stitching play together and stepping into space at the right moments. He completed 128 of 135 passes and logged 149 touches, remarkable volume from centre-back. Beyond ball circulation, he won six duels, made three blocks and three clearances, and added one successful tackle.

Vítor even threatened at the other end, taking four shots and generating 0.33 xG. He also contributed one key pass, three fouls drawn and steady progression with 46 ball carries. Around him, Baltaxa posted a strong 7.5 with 72 carries and 372 meters progressed, and full-back Bruno Goda’s 7.4 stood out as Dinamo’s top performer. Hapoel’s engine room ticked through Yehoshua’s 7.2, while Guy Mizrahi matched that 7.2 with defensive work and two chances created. It was a defender’s match, and Vítor’s all-round control set the tone.