Full Breakdown
Maccabi Tel Aviv Advances to State Cup Quarterfinals After Dramatic Penalty Shootout
1/16/2026, 8:15:40 AM
Thrilling Derby Match Overview
In a highly anticipated State Cup derby, Maccabi Tel Aviv triumphed over Hapoel Tel Aviv in a tense penalty shootout, securing their place in the quarterfinals. The match, held at Bloomfield Stadium, ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time, with Maccabi winning 5-4 on penalties. Helio Varela opened the scoring for Maccabi in the 50th minute, but Hapoel equalized just three minutes later through Stav Turiel. The match took a critical turn when Maccabi's Roy Revivo received a red card, leaving his team with ten players.
Key Moments and Player Contributions
Maccabi's goalkeeper, Ofek Melika, played a pivotal role in the victory, making crucial saves during the match and in the penalty shootout. Itay Ben Hamo scored the decisive penalty after both Liran Rotman and Roie Alkukin missed their attempts for Hapoel. Melika's performance was highlighted by a key save against Rotman, which kept Maccabi in contention during the shootout.
Maccabi's coach, Zarko Lazetic, praised his team's resilience, stating, “We did our job and now we have to move onto the next challenge.” Hapoel's coach, Elyaniv Barda, expressed disappointment, noting, “Football is cruel... sometimes the ball doesn’t go in on penalties.”
Other Matches in the Round of 16
In addition to the Maccabi derby, several other matches took place in the State Cup round of 16. Beitar Jerusalem defeated Ironi Kiryat Shmona 2-0, with goals from Yarin Levy and Timoti Muzie. Hapoel Beersheba edged out Hapoel Jerusalem 2-1, thanks to a late goal from Muhammed Knaan. Maccabi Jaffa achieved a surprising 2-0 victory over Maccabi Netanya, while Maccabi Haifa narrowly defeated Hapoel Ra’anana 1-0 with a last-minute goal from Guy Melamed.
Official Statements & Responses
Maccabi Tel Aviv's coach, Zarko Lazetic, emphasized the importance of teamwork in their victory, stating, “We just didn’t stop believing.” Hapoel's Elyaniv Barda reflected on the match's outcome, saying, “The guys are very disappointed as we wanted to advance as far as we could in the cup.”
What's Next for Maccabi Tel Aviv
Following their victory, Maccabi Tel Aviv will face Maccabi Jaffa in the quarterfinals, scheduled for February 3rd to 5th. This matchup marks another derby encounter, as Maccabi seeks to continue their strong performance in the tournament.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While Maccabi Tel Aviv's victory was celebrated, there were varying opinions on the match's officiating and the impact of the red card on the game's dynamics. Hapoel's coach suggested that the match could have turned differently had they capitalized on their numerical advantage.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Congratulations to the players, we played our match the entire game and we deserved the win.” — Zarko Lazetic, Maccabi Tel Aviv Coach
- “I think we didn’t stop believing even after the red card and we were able to win this game, we are all winners.” — Ofek Melika, Maccabi Tel Aviv Goalkeeper
- “But I’m happy that we punched our ticket to the next round.” — Itzik Baruch, Maccabi Jaffa Coach
