Hapoel Tel Aviv are joint top of Europa League Group C after thumping former leaders Rapid Vienna 5-1 on Thursday.
Following the disappointment of Maccabi Haifa’s third consecutive defeat in the Champions League, the Reds registered their biggest victory in European football courtesy of four second half strikes in Israel.
Hapoel’s second victory of the group stage came in a match they went ahead in after 30 minutes, courtesy of an own goal from Andreas Dober.
But the Israelis were ahead for less than two minutes, however, as Steffen Hofmann’s free-kick found the net.
Hapoel restored their advantage nine minutes into the second period when Georgian Zurab Menteshashvili crashed a ferocious half-volley into the net from 30 yards.
Israel international Etey Shechter made it 3-1 five minutes before compatriot GilVermouth turned in Dedi Ben Dayan’s cut back.
Lala completed the rout in stoppage time, converting a low cross from Vermouth.
The result lifted Hapoel to second in the group, level on points with new leaders Hamburg.
