An emotional, grueling, yet thrilling season of Israeli football came to a close tonight with the annual Israeli Cup Final — the traditional curtain-raiser on the local football calendar.
For the first time in four years, the final was held at Teddy Stadium, nestled in the nation's capital of Jerusalem.
Hapoel Be'er Sheva, the newly crowned 2025–26 Israeli Champions — fresh off their title clincher just one week ago and still riding the champagne fumes of their celebrations — arrived hoping to complete the Double for the first time in their history.
The mood in the Negev's capital had been at an all-time high in the days leading up to the final, as their title-winning campaign helped exorcise the pain of losing the championship on the final day last season.
But their mission was never going to be straightforward. Waiting for them were Maccabi Tel Aviv — the most decorated club in the country, hungry for silverware after a chaotic and deeply disappointing campaign, full of drama both on and off the pitch.
Maccabi, the reigning 2024–25 champions, had fallen off the title pace from an early stage and finished dead last in the UEFA Europa League group stage with a single point. Manager Žarko Lazetić was dismissed in January following a derby defeat to their city rivals — the first such loss since 2014. His replacement, Norwegian coach Ronny Deila, lasted just two months before departing amid suspicion of a sexual harassment case. The caretaker stepping into the Cup Final dugout was Kenny Miller — a Scottish football household name and former assistant to Deila.
On the other side, Be'er Sheva's Ran Kozuch has established himself as something of a Cup guru. Entering his fourth consecutive Cup Final, he has won the previous two editions — including the 2025 triumph with Be'er Sheva.
Teddy Stadium, packed with more than 30,000 spectators who had enjoyed fan activities throughout the afternoon, was looking as festive as ever.
The game began in the Southerners' favor. In the 12th minute, 2026 Israeli Player of the Season Kings Kangwa stole possession in midfield, switched play to Mohammed Abu Rumi, and the January signing slotted home his debut goal in red at the perfect moment. 1–0 to Be'er Sheva — a scoreline that held until the break.
The second half, however, told a different story. Maccabi took control slowly and steadily, looking a step sharper than their opponents, and their quality soon translated into goals.
In the 57th minute, a Roy Revivo corner from the right found its way to the far post, where Tyrese Asante headed it back into the box and Hélio Varela met it with a header of his own to make it 1–1. Another landmark moment for the 24-year-old Cape Verdean, who had been named in Cape Verde's 2026 World Cup squad earlier in the week.
Seven minutes later, the roles were reversed as Varela surged down the left with purpose, laying the ball off to Roy Revivo, who dribbled past Lucas Ventura and, with his weaker right foot, found a fortunate deflection that crept into the net. A fine goal from the young talent — one that drew comparisons to his father Haim, who produced similar moments of magic during his days at Celta Vigo and Fenerbahçe.
Be'er Sheva had time to respond, creating two decent chances for substitute Javon East, but the Jamaican striker lacked the sharpness required on the night.
As the final whistle approached, the game grew increasingly feisty and fractious, with clashes, fouls, and heated arguments punctuating the closing stages. Be'er Sheva's Djibril Diop was dismissed after two quick yellow cards, and when the referee did blow for full time, it brought not only yellow-and-blue celebrations but also a full-scale brawl between both benches — resulting in four red cards, two from each side.
The fallout will be for the football association to sort out. What matters tonight is that Maccabi Tel Aviv found a way to salvage a trophy from a turbulent campaign — yet another testament to the winning culture embedded in the club since the Mitch Goldhar era. It is the 25th cup in their storied history, and perhaps one of the sweetest — won in the most Maccabi way imaginable.
Photo courtesy: Shaul Greenfeld
Maccabi Tel Aviv edge Hapoel Be'er Sheva 2–1 in a dramatic Israeli Cup Final at Teddy Stadium, denying the champions a historic Double.