NETANYA, Israel (Interstat) — Maccabi Netanya scored twice in the final seven minutes to stun Ironi Kir Shmona 2-1 on Sunday in Ligat ha’Al play, overcoming a late deficit and defying statistical projections that heavily favored the home side.

The match, played at Winner Stadium, was a tale of two halves and a testament to the impact of substitutes, as Netanya’s bench provided the decisive spark to reverse the game’s momentum.

The home side, Ironi Kir Shmona, struck first in the 23rd minute. Substitute Matheus Davó, who had just entered the fray, found the net to give his team an early lead. The goal seemed to validate the pregame analytics from Interstat, which gave Kir Shmona a 68.6 percent probability of victory and projected a 3-1 win.

The first half was a fractious affair, with five yellow cards distributed by the 43rd minute. Sékou Tidiany Bangoura and Aziz Ouattara were both booked in the 6th minute, setting a combative tone. They were followed by Shay Ben David in the 19th minute and Bilal Shaheen in the 43rd.

Kir Shmona maintained its 1-0 advantage deep into the second half, appearing poised to secure a crucial three points at home. The dynamic of the match shifted dramatically, however, in a frantic final stretch.

Maccabi Netanya’s equalizer came in the 83rd minute from midfielder Aviv Avraham, who leveled the score and ignited the visiting squad’s hopes. The comeback was completed just six minutes later when another substitute, Heriberto Tavares, scored the winning goal in the 89th minute to seal a dramatic 2-1 victory for Netanya.

The late flurry of action was also marked by a pair of yellow cards, with Wale Musa Alli booked in the 75th minute and Wilson Harris seeing a card in the 81st minute just before Netanya’s scoring surge.

The result provides a significant boost to Maccabi Netanya’s campaign, improving its league record to five wins and four losses. The victory marks their second consecutive win in Ligat ha’Al, following a 2-0 result against Hapoel Tel Aviv on Oct. 25. The team appears to be finding its form after an inconsistent start to the season.

For Ironi Kir Shmona, the loss is a devastating blow, a match that was within their grasp for over 80 minutes. Their league record now falls to two wins, five losses and one draw, leaving them in a precarious position in the standings. The team has struggled to find consistency, with this loss coming on the heels of a 3-1 defeat to Maccabi Tel Aviv on Oct. 27, though they had managed a 1-0 upset over Hap Be’er Sheva on Oct. 18.

The game underscored the importance of squad depth. Key performances from substitutes defined the outcome, with Davó scoring for Kir Shmona and Tavares netting the winner for Netanya. Wilson Harris and Aziz Ouattara each recorded an assist for Netanya, while Wale Musa Alli, Bilal Shaheen, Sékou Tidiany Bangoura and Shay Ben David were also credited with assists in the contest.

Maccabi Netanya will look to continue its positive momentum when it hosts MK Maccabi Bnei Reineh on Saturday, Nov. 8. Ironi Kir Shmona, seeking to rebound from the heartbreaking loss, will travel to face Ironi Tiberias on the same date.