Maccabi Tel Aviv Dominates Hapoel Tel Aviv in Derby, Stays Atop League

Maccabi Tel Aviv secured a decisive 4-1 victory over city rivals Hapoel Tel Aviv in their first derby clash in 24 years where both teams occupied the top two spots in the league standings. The win maintains Maccabi's perfect record after four games and hands Hapoel their first league loss of the season.

The match, held on September 26, 2026, was initially delayed for six minutes due to fireworks and flares set off by fans from both sides. Once play resumed, Maccabi took an early lead in the 19th minute with a header from league top scorer Dor Peretz. Hapoel equalized against the run of play in the 33rd minute with a long-range strike from Stav Touriyel. However, Hapoel's momentum was short-lived as Hapoel's Ohad Davida, a former Hapoel player, restored Maccabi's lead just three minutes later following a defensive error.

Adding to Hapoel's woes, Touriyel received a second yellow card and was sent off in first-half stoppage time after confronting Davida and then fouling Helio Varela. Playing with a man advantage in the second half, Maccabi controlled possession but struggled to extend their lead until the 89th minute when Jameel Alasayeh scored to make it 3-1. Elad Madmon sealed the dominant victory with a fourth goal in the 95th minute, finalizing the 4-1 scoreline.

The derby marked a significant moment, being the first time in nearly a quarter-century that the two Tel Aviv clubs met while both were at the summit of the league table. Maccabi's commanding performance sends a strong message to the rest of the league.