Maccabi Ahi Nazareth advanced in the Israel Cup with a 3-2 win at Sderot on 26 October 2026, winning a five-goal knockout tie that swung one way and then the other before the visitors found the decisive goal late on.

Five-goal cup tie delivers drama

The Israel Cup meeting between Sderot and Maccabi Ahi Nazareth had the intensity of a proper knockout contest. Sderot, playing at home, started with ambition and looked to use width and set pieces to unsettle their opponents. Ahi Nazareth, however, remained dangerous on the break and showed the kind of ruthlessness that cup football demands. By the time the final whistle arrived, the visitors had edged a thriller and booked their place in the next round.

Match overview

Sderot made the brighter start and were rewarded when a cross from the right was turned in at the near post. The hosts continued to press, but Ahi Nazareth grew into the game and equalised before half-time when a cut-back was side-footed home by a late-arriving midfielder. That goal changed the mood of the tie, and the visitors carried momentum into the second half.

Ahi Nazareth went ahead after a quick transition, with their forward finding space behind the Sderot defence and finishing low. Sderot responded well, pushing men forward and equalising from a corner when a header beat the goalkeeper. At 2-2, the tie looked destined for a tense finish. Instead, Ahi Nazareth found one more attacking moment, breaking down the right and converting at the back post to seal a memorable away win.

Key moments

• Sderot take the lead: Pressure from the hosts told when a dangerous cross from the right was converted at the near post.
• Ahi Nazareth equalise: A well-worked move ended with a cut-back and a composed finish from the edge of the six-yard box.
• Visitors go in front: Ahi Nazareth won the ball in midfield and broke quickly, with their forward finishing low beyond the goalkeeper.
• Sderot level from a corner: The hosts refused to fade and found an equaliser when a header from a set piece found the net.
• Late winner: Ahi Nazareth attacked down the right in the closing stages and converted at the back post to settle the tie.

Tactical story: transitions and set pieces decide the tie

Sderot’s plan was built on territory and delivery. They looked to get the ball wide, win corners and free-kicks, and test the Ahi Nazareth defence with aerial balls. For long spells, that approach worked, especially in the first half and again after the visitors had taken the lead. The equalising goal from a corner was a reward for their persistence.

Ahi Nazareth, meanwhile, were content to defend in a compact block and strike in transition. Their midfielders pressed at the right moments and looked to release the forward line quickly. The visitors’ second and third goals both came from fast attacks, exposing Sderot when the hosts committed bodies forward. In a cup tie, that kind of ruthlessness proved decisive.

Standout performers

Ahi Nazareth’s forward line was the difference. Their centre-forward held the ball up well, brought runners into play and took his goal confidently, while the wide attackers provided constant outlets on the counter. Sderot’s captain drove the team forward and was central to their best spells, and the hosts’ set-piece delivery caused problems throughout. Both goalkeepers made important saves, but it was Ahi Nazareth who found the final moment of quality.

What the result means

For Maccabi Ahi Nazareth, the 3-2 win means progress in the Israel Cup and a confidence boost from a difficult away tie. For Sderot, the defeat ends their cup run, but the performance showed plenty of attacking intent that can be carried into league fixtures. Cup football often turns on small margins, and this tie was decided by Ahi Nazareth’s ability to convert their best chances when the game was stretched.