Maccabi Netanya suffered a disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Hapoel Petah Tikva in an Israel Premier League match played on January 1, 2026. The final score reflected a dominant away performance, with Hapoel Petah Tikva capitalizing on their chances to secure a clean-sheet victory. The visitors struck early, putting the home side on the back foot and controlling the tempo of the game. Maccabi Netanya struggled to create clear-cut opportunities, and Hapoel Petah Tikva doubled their lead in the second half to put the result beyond doubt. This result was a significant setback for Maccabi Netanya's ambitions in the league table, while providing a major boost for Hapoel Petah Tikva's campaign. The match highlighted the visitors' effective game plan and clinical finishing, which proved too much for the hosts to handle on the day.