Hapoel Beer Sheva v Maccabi Tel Aviv

Maccabi Tel Aviv won the Super Cup final 3-1 over Hapoel Beer Sheva at Toto Turner Stadium, a result that the Lemeister model had favoured narrowly, rating Maccabi as 41 per cent likely winners compared to 32 per cent for Hapoel. The scoreline reflected a clinical edge in front of goal, with three of Maccabi's chances converted from open play, while Hapoel could only turn one of their own efforts into a goal despite a broadly even contest in general play.

The opening goal arrived in the 10th minute when S. Abu Farhi scored, assisted by S. Jehezkel. It was a fast start from Maccabi, who seized the initiative. Hapoel responded five minutes later, K. Kangwa equalising from O. Davidzada's assist. That parity lasted until the 58th minute, when D. Peretz put Maccabi back in front, again assisted by Jehezkel who had now created two of the three first-half goals. Maccabi's third arrived in the 72nd minute, Abu Farhi scoring his second of the match from yet another Jehezkel assist. The match was effectively decided in that 14-minute spell after the interval.

The scoring pattern told only part of the story. Maccabi had to play the final quarter of the match a man down after R. Revivo received a second yellow card in the 66th minute, having been booked earlier in the 42nd minute. That put Hapoel in a position to push for a comeback, with a numerical advantage and more than 20 minutes of normal time, plus stoppage time, remaining. However, Hapoel were unable to create enough high-quality chances to test Maccabi's goalkeeper, a failure that contrasted with their opponents' ruthlessness.

The discipline statistics were notable. There were eight yellow cards in total, six of them in the first half alone, with Maccabi's Revivo collecting two of them to earn a red. Hapoel received four yellows, Maccabi four plus the red, and the game featured a further yellow for Maccabi's L. Asres in stoppage time. That volume of bookings, particularly early on, suggested a tense and competitive final, but the red card did not materially alter the result.

Maccabi's attacking trio of Abu Farhi, Peretz and Jehezkel were decisive. Jehezkel's three assists were the outstanding individual contribution. Abu Farhi's two goals made him the match's leading scorer. Peretz's strike in the 58th minute came at a crucial moment, restoring Maccabi's lead just after the hour mark when Hapoel might have felt they were growing into the game. By contrast, Hapoel's attack managed only one goal, from Kangwa, and the team lacked the sustained pressure needed to exploit their man advantage in the final 25 minutes.

The victory gives Maccabi Tel Aviv the first silverware of the season, asserting their status as the team favoured by the Lemeister model before kick-off. Hapoel Beer Sheva will reflect on a performance that was competitive in spells but ultimately fell short in the moments that decide finals. The red card did not help their cause, but on the evidence of the finishing, Maccabi were the more clinical side and deserved the trophy.