Maccabi Tel Aviv Dominates Hapoel Tel Aviv in 4-1 Derby Victory

Maccabi Tel Aviv secured a decisive 4-1 victory over rivals Hapoel Tel Aviv in the first derby of the season, held at Bloomfield Stadium on Monday. The match, attended by approximately 22,000 Maccabi fans and 3,200 Hapoel supporters, was delayed for seven minutes shortly after kickoff due to the ignition of flares and firecrackers by both sets of fans.

Maccabi took an early lead in the 19th minute when Dor Peretz scored from a rebound after Hapoel's goalkeeper Asaf Tzur saved a header from Ester Sokhler. This marked the first goal Hapoel had conceded in the league this season. Hapoel managed to equalize in the 33rd minute through Stav Touriyal, who received a pass from Douglas Owusu and scored into the near corner.

However, Maccabi quickly regained the lead just three minutes later with a goal from Osher Davida. The score remained 2-1 until halftime, despite a disallowed goal for Maccabi's Sokhler. In first-half stoppage time, Hapoel's Touriyal was sent off with a second yellow card for a foul on Hapoel's Eliyahu Varela, leaving Hapoel with ten players for the second half.

In the closing minutes, Maccabi extended their lead. Substitute Liel Abada scored in the 88th minute after a pass from Elad Madmon, making it 3-1. Madmon then added a fourth goal in stoppage time due to a lapse in Hapoel's defense, sealing the 4-1 win for Maccabi Tel Aviv. The victory maintains Maccabi's perfect record after four league matches.