In a commanding performance at the Israeli Super Cup, Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated Hapoel Beer Sheva 3-1 on July 17, 2026, to claim the first silverware of the season. The match, played at a neutral venue in Tel Aviv, saw the reigning league champions dominate proceedings and lift the trophy for the fourth time in their history.

Match Overview

The Super Cup traditionally pits the league champions against the State Cup winners. Hapoel Beer Sheva, the cup holders, came into the game with high hopes, but Maccabi Tel Aviv's superior quality in attack proved too much. The scoreline was a fair reflection of the match, with Maccabi creating numerous chances throughout the 90 minutes.

Key Moments

• 8' – Maccabi Tel Aviv take an early lead: A quick throw-in caught Hapoel Beer Sheva's defence napping. The winger drove to the byline and pulled back for an unmarked teammate to tap in from close range.
• 32' – Maccabi double their lead: A brilliant solo run from midfield, skipping past three challenges, ended with a low shot that beat the goalkeeper at his near post.
• 58' – Hapoel Beer Sheva pull one back: A penalty was awarded after a handball in the box. The Hapoel striker sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 2-1.
• 74' – Maccabi Tel Aviv seal the win: A counter-attack from a Hapoel corner saw Maccabi break with speed. The ball was squared to the substitute forward, who slotted home the third goal.
• 90' – Missed penalty for Maccabi: In stoppage time, a spot kick was blazed over the bar, leaving the final score at 3-1.

Tactical Story

Maccabi Tel Aviv lined up in a fluid 4-3-3, with their full-backs pushing high to create overloads. Hapoel Beer Sheva tried to match up in a 4-2-3-1 but struggled to contain Maccabi's movement between the lines. Maccabi's high press forced errors from Hapoel's defenders, leading to the first two goals. In response, Hapoel switched to a more direct approach in the second half, which briefly yielded the penalty, but Maccabi's control of the midfield never waned.

Standout Players

• Maccabi Tel Aviv's No. 10 (playmaker): Instrumental in all three goals, his passing range and dribbling caused constant problems. He provided two assists and scored the second himself.
• Maccabi Tel Aviv's goalkeeper: Made two important saves in the second half, including a one-on-one stop when the score was 2-1, to preserve the lead.

Historic Context

This was Maccabi Tel Aviv's fourth Super Cup triumph, moving them level with Hapoel Beer Sheva in the all-time standings. The victory also extended their winning streak against Hapoel Beer Sheva to five matches in all competitions.