Maccabi Tel Aviv bounced back from their derby disappointment in emphatic style, thrashing Hapoel Kiryat Shmona 4-1 away from home on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. The visitors displayed their superior firepower to run out comfortable winners and get their title challenge back on track. Maccabi was ruthless from the outset, scoring two early goals to take command of the match. Kiryat Shmona pulled one back before halftime to offer a glimmer of hope, but Maccabi extinguished it with two more clinical finishes in the second half to seal the points. The star of the show was Maccabi's prolific striker, who netted a brace and caused problems for the home defense all night. This comprehensive victory keeps Maccabi Tel Aviv in the thick of the championship race, while for Kiryat Shmona it is another defensive lesson in a difficult season. The Maccabi coach was delighted with the response from his players, and the Kiryat Shmona manager acknowledged the gulf in class.