Maccabi Tel Aviv delivered a statement win on Monday night, dispatching Hapoel Beersheba 3-1 in a decisive Israel Premier League clash that saw the yellow-and-blue climb to the top of the standings. A first-half blitz, fueled by Weslley Patati and Dor Peretz, left the hosts reeling and ensured Maccabi took full control of the championship race.
Fast Start Sets the Tone
Maccabi wasted no time asserting dominance at Turner Stadium. Within minutes, Osher Davida found space down the right flank and whipped in a dangerous ball that Beersheba struggled to clear. Patati reacted fastest, slotting home from close range to put the visitors ahead.
Momentum stayed with the yellow-and-blue, but the match took a dramatic turn in the 14th minute. Beersheba’s Guy Mizrachi lunged recklessly into a challenge on Peretz, catching the midfielder high with his studs. The referee showed no hesitation in producing a straight red, reducing the hosts to ten men and shifting the game firmly in Maccabi’s favor.
Peretz and Patati Dominate
With an extra man, Maccabi pushed forward relentlessly. Their second goal came just before the half-hour mark, as Patati turned provider. His curling corner found Peretz unmarked at the near post, and the veteran midfielder made no mistake, powering a header past goalkeeper Omri Glazer.
Beersheba barely had time to recover before the damage worsened. Just before the halftime whistle, Patati capped his sensational performance with a superb finish, receiving a precise cutback inside the box and rifling the ball into the net to make it 3-0. The contest looked all but over by the break.
Beersheba’s Response Falls Short
The hosts needed a miracle in the second half, and Kings Kangwa gave them a glimmer of hope. The Zambian international pounced on a loose ball in the 48th minute and fired home from distance, beating Daniel Peretz to cut the deficit to 3-1.
However, that was as close as Beersheba would get. Despite some spirited play in the latter stages, they struggled to create clear-cut chances against Maccabi’s well-drilled defense. The visitors managed the game effectively, controlling possession and slowing the tempo to secure a crucial victory.
Table-Topping Implications
This result sees Maccabi leapfrog Beersheba and Hapoel Tel Aviv to reclaim first place in the league standings. With just a handful of matches remaining in the season, the championship race is now firmly in their hands.
A look at the updated top five in the Israel Premier League:
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Maccabi Tel Aviv | 58 |
| 2nd | Hapoel Beersheba | 56 |
| 3rd | Hapoel Tel Aviv | 55 |
| 4th | Maccabi Haifa | 53 |
| 5th | Beitar Jerusalem | 50 |
Maccabi’s rise to the top has been built on consistency. They boast the league’s best defensive record and a lethal attacking trio in Patati, Davida, and Peretz.
What’s Next?
The title race is heating up, and Maccabi still has major tests ahead. A clash with third-place Hapoel Tel Aviv looms large, while a potential title decider against Maccabi Haifa on the horizon could determine the fate of the championship.
For Beersheba, this defeat is a serious blow. With their title hopes now hanging by a thread, they’ll need to regroup quickly. Dropped points from their rivals could still offer a way back, but their fate is no longer in their control.
As the season nears its climax, every match, every goal, and every moment will carry enormous weight. One thing is certain—this championship race is far from over.
