Southampton are out of the Europa League following a 1-1 draw at home to Hapoel Be’er Sheva at St Mary’s on Thursday.

Claude Puel’s side knew that a scoreless draw or victory would secure a place in the last 32, and the cautious tactics implemented by the Frenchman looked set to keep the Israeli champions at bay.

However, Maor Buzaglo netted with just 12 minutes to go to put the visitors in the ascendency and, although Virgil van Dijk equalised for the hosts, Puel’s men had left themselves too much to do.

It means that their return to European competition after 12 years comes to a premature end, and Saints fans will be wondering how a side that beat group winners Sparta Prague and European giants Inter Milan haven’t progressed.

Their tally of eight points would have been enough for qualification in five other groups, but Puel’s men must brush it off and focus on their Premier League campaign, which resumes at home to Middlesbrough on Sunday.

Nonetheless, there were some positives to take from their short stay in the Europa League this season, so here is What’s Hot and What’s Not from Southampton’s group stage campaign…

NOT – They’re out

Southampton have played some decent football in Europe this season, but they won’t be partaking in the competition anymore.

Their frustrating 1-1 draw at home to Hapoel Be’er Sheva meant that the Israeli side progressed due to their superior head-to-head, and left many Saints fans scratching their heads at how, after beating Inter and Sparta Prague, they could have exited the competition.

Puel has come in for criticism after his negative tactics ultimately didn’t work against Hapoel on Thursday, but Saints fans should also point to the defeats at Inter and Sparta as key matches in which their performances merited more.

Nonetheless, there’s no Europa League adventure for Southampton in the New Year.

HOT – Southampton 2-1 Inter Milan

It was one of the finest nights in Southampton’s history.

They beat European giants Inter Milan 2-1 at St Mary’s on November 3, which at the time put them in prime position to qualify for the last 32.

Puel’s men fell behind to Mauro Icardi’s 33rd-minute strike but, even though Dusan Tadic missed a penalty in first-half stoppage time, the Saints rallied brilliantly in the second half.

The sensational Virgil van Dijk equalised 19 minutes in the second period, and then Tadic’s teasing cross was turned home by the unfortunate visiting defender Yuto Nagatomo five minutes later.

Southampton were good value for the win, and Saints fans rightly celebrated a famous victory, especially given where the two clubs were just six years ago – Inter had just won the Champions League under Jose Mourinho, and the Saints finished seventh in League One, and beat Carlisle United in the Johnstone’s Paint trophy final in March 2010.

It was an unforgettable night for the Saints.

NOT – Didn’t kill teams off

Although the manner of the draw on Thursday riled many Southampton supporters, you can’t help feel that the defeats at Inter and Sparta Prague were a chief reason for their early exit.

Not just because they lost both matches, but they really should have got something from both games.

Puel’s men missed a whole host of chances at the San Siro, and were duly punished by Antonio Candreva’s 67th-minute strike, and did enough in Prague to get a point from their clash with group winners Sparta.

But, they didn’t, and only have themselves to blame for not taking their chances and getting their rewards from those matches.

Ultimately, it has cost them big time.

HOT – Southampton 3-0 Sparta Prague

It’s unlikely that many people would have had Sparta Prague as group winners following their comprehensive 3-0 defeat at St Mary’s back in September.

Charlie Austin netted twice and Jay Rodriguez added a third late on to seal Puel’s first win in charge, and it sparked a seven-game unbeaten run, in which time they conceded just one goal.

Yet, since that win on September 15, Sparta won four of their five Europa League matches, while the Saints picked just one further victory, and lost in the Czech capital in November.

Nonetheless, it was a great evening for the Saints as they announced their return to European competition with an easy win.