Hapoel Be'er Sheva Clinches Israeli Championship

Hapoel Be'er Sheva has secured the Israeli championship title with a thrilling 4-2 victory over third-placed Maccabi Tel Aviv in the penultimate round of the playoff phase. The match, played on May 19, 2026, saw Igor Zlatanovic and Kingsley Kangwa score for Hapoel Be'er Sheva, while Dor Peretz and Kerwin Arnaud equalized for Maccabi Tel Aviv. Zahi Ahmed and Igor Zlatanovic sealed the victory with goals in the 76th and 79th minutes, respectively.

The win gives Hapoel Be'er Sheva a total of 79 points, an insurmountable five-point lead over second-placed Beitar Jerusalem with only one round left. This victory marks their sixth title in the club’s history.

For Bulgarian midfielder Yoan Stoynov, the season has been challenging, as a severe injury sidelined him for an extended period. Despite the setback, Stoynov made a strong comeback in the crucial months of the season, contributing with one goal and two assists in 14 appearances.

The possibility of a double remains open for Hapoel Be'er Sheva, as they will face Maccabi Tel Aviv again in the Israeli Cup final on May 26.

In another match from the round, Maccabi Haifa defeated Hapoel Tel Aviv 4-1. Bulgarian player Andrian Kraev was absent due to a suspension from the previous round.

Following the matches, the standings are as follows: Hapoel Be'er Sheva with 79 points, Beitar Jerusalem with 75 points, Maccabi Tel Aviv with 65 points, and Hapoel Tel Aviv with 59 points.