Maccabi Petah Tikva vs Maccabi Netanya

Netanya struck first through Bar Zaarura in the 31st minute, the midfielder finding the net from open play to put the visitors ahead. Petah Tikva responded before the interval: Jhon Cortes equalised in the 41st minute, sending the sides in level at 1-1.

Petah Tikva made three substitutions at half-time — S. Owusu, Y. Wattad and I. Soumah all entering the fray — but it was Netanya who regained control. Matheus Davó scored the decisive goal in the 52nd minute, a second-half strike that restored Netanya's advantage.

Petah Tikva pushed for a second equaliser but Netanya's defence held firm, even after Bar Zaarura received a second yellow card in the 76th minute, leaving the visitors a man down for the final 14 minutes. Netanya finished with four yellow cards and one red.

Matheus Davó's goal in the 52nd minute, scored just seven minutes after the half-time restart, proved the winner. It arrived during a period when Petah Tikva were still adjusting to their three half-time substitutions, and the Brazilian's finish gave Netanya a lead they would not relinquish — even after going down to ten men.

• Bar Zaarura (Maccabi Netanya) — Opened the scoring in the 31st minute with a well-taken goal. Booked in the 58th minute then sent off in the 76th for a second yellow card. The hero-villain of the afternoon.
• Matheus Davó (Maccabi Netanya) — Scored the 52nd-minute winner, his second goal of the Toto Cup campaign. Subbed off in the 68th minute for D. Hugi after a sharp shift.
• Jhon Cortes (Maccabi Petah Tikva) — Petah Tikva's most effective attacker, scoring the equaliser just before half-time.

Matheus Davó — his decisive strike separated the sides, and his movement caused problems for the Petah Tikva defence throughout his 68 minutes on the pitch.

Netanya's 10 fouls to Petah Tikva's 4 reflected their high-pressing, aggressive approach that disrupted the home side's rhythm but carried disciplinary risk — ultimately costing them a man for the final 14 minutes. The visitors earned 6 corners to Petah Tikva's 5, indicating a marginal edge in attacking territory despite playing much of the second half on the back foot after the red card. Petah Tikva's 0 offsides suggests disciplined forward movement, while Netanya's sole offside shows they found clear-cut opportunities behind the home defence.

For Maccabi Petah Tikva — preparing for their return to Ligat Ha'Al after promotion — the result was a setback, though the side showed resilience in equalising once and pushing for a leveller after the red card. Netanya's win continued strong early-season form in the Toto Cup group stage.

Petah Tikva next face Hapoel Jerusalem in Toto Cup action on 2 August 2026, while Netanya host Hapoel Ramat Gan Givatayim on the same date.

Sport5 reported before the match that Petah Tikva were close to signing Montenegrin striker Marko Rakonjac, with coach Ziv Arie directly involved in negotiations. Key defender Adar Ratner was ruled out due to knee pain, with an MRI scheduled to assess the severity of the injury. Arie made significant rotations to his lineup, with Muhammad Hindi and Omer Shirazi both earning starts.

Netanya's blend of efficiency in front of goal and willingness to press high earned them the points, though the late red card and high foul count are warning signs. Petah Tikva showed enough in spells to suggest they can compete at this level, but defensive lapses at critical moments cost them.