Historic Victory for Hapoel Tel Aviv in Derbi Match
Dramatic Comeback Ends 12-Year Winless Streak
In a thrilling encounter at Bloomfield Stadium, Hapoel Tel Aviv achieved a remarkable victory over their city rivals, Maccabi Tel Aviv, winning 2-1 in a dramatic derby match on January 26, 2026. The win marks Hapoel’s first triumph in the Tel Aviv derby in over 12 years, with their last victory dating back to April 26, 2014.
Last-Minute Goals Ignite Celebration
The match saw a stunning turnaround as Hapoel scored two goals in injury time, delighting red-clad supporters who had waited 4,293 days for this historic moment. The intense celebrations began immediately after the final whistle and continued outside the stadium, reminiscent of championship parades.
The jubilant fans, celebrating a significant mileststart, emphasized the emotional weight of the victory against their rivals.
Analyzing the 12-Year Drought
Hapoel Tel Aviv’s extended drought in derby matches is striking; they faced Maccabi Tel Aviv a total of 30 times since their last win, resulting in 25 losses and five draws. This long period without a victory heightened the stakes, making this win even more meaningful for the players and their dedicated fanbase.
The previous match on April 26, 2014, ended with a score of 3-1 in favor of Maccabi, featuring goals from Omer Damari, Gili Vermut, and Orel Dgani for Hapoel, while Eran Zahavi managed to score for Maccabi. The gap between victories has only fueled the rivalry, intensifying matches in the years that followed.
Conclusion
Hapoel Tel Aviv’s dramatic late-game comeback in the derby not only ends an arduous winless streak but also invigorates their aspirations as they now look forward to the remainder of their season with renewed confidence.
With this memorable victory, Hapoel fans have every reason to celebrate their team’s resurgence in a rivalry that defines the heart of Tel Aviv football.