Hapoel bow out with first win against Académica

Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC bowed out of the UEFA Europa League with their first victory of the group stage against an A. Académica de Coimbra side who were also already eliminated before kick-off.

Both sides were playing for pride alone in Group B, with the top spots snaffled up by FC Viktoria Plzeň and Club Atlético de Madrid, but Hapoel signed off from European competition with their first win thanks to second-half strikes by substitutes Victor Mare and Hanan Maman.

Académica's Edinho had the first meaningful chance of the game, although his long-range effort on 15 minutes sailed harmlessly past Édel Apoula's right post. The Israeli side came closest to opening the scoring in a half of few chances, only for Romuald Peiser to tip Salim Toama's free-kick from the edge of the area over the bar.

Pedro Emanuel's visitors looked lively at the start of the second half and should have taken the lead when Marinho raced clear, however the 29-year-old fired over with only Apoula to beat. Against the run of play, the hosts then forged ahead.

Gil Vermouth dropped a shoulder to beat his man and squared the ball for substitute Mare to scramble it over the line from close range. The Portuguese side pressed for an equaliser, but Makelele and Cleyton failed to make the most of clear shooting opportunities. Hapoel made them pay ten minutes from time, when Mare cushioned a deep cross from the left into the path of fellow substitute Maman, who stooped to head in and seal the win.