Maccabi Tel Aviv Stays Perfect, Maccabi Haifa Completes Dramatic Comeback

Maccabi Tel Aviv secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Maccabi Netanya, maintaining their perfect record at the top of the Israeli Premier League. Despite not playing their best, the team found a way to win, with Dor Peretz scoring from a penalty deep into first-half stoppage time. Oz Bilo equalized for Netanya early in the second half, but James Tavernier scored his first goal for Maccabi Tel Aviv in the 74th minute, after missing a previous penalty, to seal their fifth win in five games.

Meanwhile, Maccabi Haifa staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Ironi Tiberias 3-2. Andrea Novakovic opened the scoring for Haifa in the sixth minute, but K Swansea's Kייס גאנם scored twice, including a penalty, to give Tiberias the lead. However, Maccabi Haifa rallied, with Kenji Goroh equalizing from the spot and Novakovic completing his brace in the 69th minute to secure the win. This victory sends Haifa into the international break in second place, behind the undefeated Maccabi Tel Aviv.

In other league matches, Hapoel Jerusalem defeated Maccabi Petah Tikva 4-2, with Nadim and Rasana scoring hat-tricks. Bnei Sakhnin earned their first win of the season, beating Hapoel Ramat Gan 1-0 thanks to a debut goal from Leroy Owusu. Beitar Jerusalem continued their momentum with a 2-0 win over Hapoel Haifa, and Hapoel Beer Sheva edged out Ironi Kiryat Shmona 1-0.