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Maccabi Tel Aviv secured the 2024/25 Israel Premier League championship on the final matchday of the season after a dominant 5-0 victory over Beitar Jerusalem at Bloomfield Stadium.
The emphatic win not only delighted the home crowd but also sealed the club’s second consecutive league title, finishing two points clear of their closest rivals, Hapoel Beersheba.
The match was a fitting farewell for Maccabi’s superstar striker Eran Zahavi, who scored twice in what was his final appearance for the club.
Zahavi, who has been a pivotal figure for the yellow-and-blue over the years, was celebrated by fans throughout the game, as he capped off his Maccabi career on a high note.
Maccabi Tel Aviv started strong with Dor Peretz heading in a precise cross from Gaby Kanichowsky to give the hosts an early lead.
Zahavi then doubled the advantage just before halftime, connecting with a cross from Roy Revivo with a powerful header that sent the stadium into a frenzy.
The second half saw Beitar Jerusalem’s Jean Marcelin inadvertently score an own goal off an Osher Davida cross, putting Maccabi further ahead.
Zahavi then added his second goal of the evening, reinforcing his status as the club’s leading scorer. Finally, Dor Turgeman wrapped up the scoring with a close-range finish to complete the 5-0 rout.
League chairman Erez Halfon congratulated Maccabi Tel Aviv on their achievement, praising the club’s dedication throughout a challenging season.
“Congratulations to Maccabi Tel Aviv on winning the national championship for the second year in a row,” Halfon said.
“Despite a complex schedule including many international games, the team maintained focus and delivered an exciting season that their fans and the entire country can be proud of.”
Coach Zarko Lazetic expressed relief and joy following the victory. “I’m finally smiling. The feelings are amazing,” Lazetic said.
“We had to focus on each game individually, especially with the heavy traveling. I was worried all season because Hapoel Beersheba showed great quality, but faith and persistence brought us here.”
Zahavi, visibly emotional, reflected on his last game for Maccabi. “I think I cried more than I smiled today. This crowd has given me so much love over the years, and I’ll remember this season forever. Ending my time here with a championship means the world to me.”
Beitar Jerusalem coach Barak Itzhaki acknowledged Zahavi’s influence and congratulated Maccabi. “I have to take my hat off to Eran Zahavi — he’s the biggest winner in Israel and played a key role in securing this championship.”
Meanwhile, Hapoel Beersheba, despite a resounding 5-0 win over Hapoel Haifa, fell short of the title by two points.
Their coach Ron Kozuk remained proud of his squad’s effort and optimistic about the future. “It’s a painful ending but I’m proud of the team’s performance all year. We’ll aim to come back stronger next season.”
Hapoel Haifa’s coach Rony Levy, managing his final match with the club, expressed a bittersweet farewell after their defeat. “I’m proud of what we achieved here and grateful to the fans for their support.”
Maccabi Haifa ended their season with a 3-2 comeback victory against Maccabi Netanya, a game shadowed by the recent passing of player Gadi Kinda. Interim coach Itay Mordechai praised his players’ resilience in difficult circumstances.
With the championship secured in style, Maccabi Tel Aviv now look ahead to defending their title in the coming season, while bidding a heartfelt goodbye to one of their greatest players, Eran Zahavi.