Maccabi Tel Aviv began their Toto Cup campaign with a 2-1 victory over Hapoel Jerusalem in a hotly contested derby match on August 18, 2025. The win at Bloomfield Stadium gave the yellow-and-blue bragging rights and a positive start in the cup competition. Maccabi likely took the lead through sustained pressure, but Hapoel Jerusalem fought back to equalize, setting up a tense second half. The hosts ultimately found a winner, possibly late in the game, to avoid a upset and secure the derby day spoils. The result immediately puts Maccabi Tel Aviv at the top of their Toto Cup group, while Hapoel Jerusalem can take heart from a competitive performance against one of Israel's strongest sides.