HAIFA, Israel (Interstat) — In a wild, back-and-forth season opener that defied pregame projections, Beitar Jerusalem outlasted Hapoel Haifa 3-2 on Saturday in Ligat ha’Al action at Sammy Ofer Stadium.

The match, which featured five second-half goals and a flurry of late yellow cards, provided an immediate jolt of drama to the Israeli Premier League campaign. Pre-match analytics from Interstat had heavily favored Beitar Jerusalem, giving them a 59.80 percent probability to win, and projected a conservative 1-1 draw. The actual contest was anything but.

The first half was a cagey affair, with the initial flashpoint being a yellow card issued to Hapoel Haifa’s Yarin Levi in the 25th minute. The deadlock was broken just three minutes later when Beitar Jerusalem’s Ofek Biton, a midfielder, found the net in the 28th minute to give the visitors an early advantage.

Hapoel Haifa responded just before the halftime whistle. In the 47th minute, substitute Adi Yona leveled the score, sending the teams into the break tied 1-1.

The second half erupted into a goal-fest, with three goals in a frantic 19-minute span. Beitar Jerusalem reclaimed the lead in the 61st minute through an unlikely source, as defender George Diba scored to make it 2-1. The visitors then appeared to put the game out of reach in the 69th minute when another substitute, Johnbosco Kalu, found the back of the net to extend Beitar’s lead to 3-1.

Hapoel Haifa refused to capitulate, setting up a tense finale with a goal from forward Roei Zakri in the 80th minute, cutting the deficit to 3-2. The final ten minutes, plus stoppage time, were marked by heightened tension and physical play, resulting in a series of yellow cards. Hapoel Haifa’s Liran Sardal was booked in the 86th minute, sparking a sequence that saw four more cautions in quick succession. Beitar Jerusalem’ Timoti Lior Muzi and Bruno Ramires were both shown yellow cards in the 87th minute, followed by bookings for Hapoel Haifa’s Roey Elimelech in the sixth minute of stoppage time and Beitar’s Roy Navi in the seventh.

Despite intense pressure from the home side in the dying moments, Beitar Jerusalem’s defense held firm to secure the three points. The victory was a collective effort, with assists provided by Luka Gadrani, Liran Sardal, Timoti Lior Muzi, Bruno Ramires, Roy Navi, Yarin Levi, and Roey Elimelech, highlighting the impact of both starters and substitutes.

The result leaves both teams with their first official records of the season. Beitar Jerusalem begins its Ligat ha’Al campaign with a victory, while Hapoel Haifa starts with a narrow defeat. The teams have no other competitive results yet this season across all competitions.

Hapoel Haifa will have a quick turnaround to regroup, as they are scheduled to face Ironi Tiberias later the same day, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.