Hapoel Petah Tikva pulled off a major upset by defeating Maccabi Haifa 1-0 away from home in the Israel Premier League on February 21, 2026. This stunning result sent shockwaves through the league, as the perennial champions were beaten at their own ground. The only goal of the game came against the run of play, with Petah Tikva defending with incredible discipline and organization throughout. Maccabi Haifa dominated possession and created numerous chances but found the visiting goalkeeper in inspired form and were frustrated by a resolute defensive block. This famous victory for Petah Tikva would be a highlight of their season, a testament to their tactical execution and team spirit, while for Maccabi Haifa, it represented a costly stumble in their title defense.