Haifa beaten by 10-man Steaua

Steaua Bucharest dented Maccabi Haifa’s Europa League qualification hopes with a 4-2 victory in Group J.

Strikes from Leandro Tatu and Florin Costea put Steaua 2-0 up after 28 minutes but Haifa hit back with Eyal Meshumar and Yaniv Katan hauling them level five minutes before the break.

The match took a dramatic twist with Costea was sent off for a challenge on Katan after 61 minutes but the Israelis failed to capitalise with a brace from Cristian Tanese earning the home side their first victory in the group phase to move within a point of Haifa.

Maccabi’s next match is against AEK Larnaca on December 1.