Israel beats Luxembourg 3-0, takes second place in qualifying group

Blue-and-white’s next World Cup games against Portugal and Northern Ireland in March

Israel’s national soccer team won its World Cup home qualifying match against Luxembourg on Tuesday 3-0. Israel now stands in second place in World Cup qualifying Group F.

Tomer Hemed scored in the 13th and 48th minutes, and Eden Ben Basat scored 35 minutes in.

Israel won in Luxembourg 6-0 last week, its first win of the 2014 FIFA World Cup campaign.

The win put Israel in second place in the group with seven points, one point ahead of Portugal, and trailing Russia, which leads the group with 12 points. Israel is scheduled to play the Russian squad in October 2013.

Israel is due to play an away match against Portugal on March 22, and to battle Northern Ireland at home in Ramat Gan on March 26.

Israel had disappointing showings in its first two group-stage games this year, losing 0-4 to Russia and drawing 1-1 against Azerbaijan, meaning it now has an uphill struggle to make the World Cup finals. The Luxembourg victories were vital to keeping even faint qualifying hopes alive.

Ben Basat was the only Israeli player booked in Tuesday’s game, seven minutes in. Luxembourg received three yellow cards.

Ron Friedman contributed to this report.