TEL AVIV, Israel (Interstat) — Maccabi Tel Aviv opened its Ligat ha’Al season with a commanding 3-1 victory over Ironi Kir Shmona on Monday at Bloomfield Stadium, a result that lived up to its billing as overwhelming favorites.

The home side, projected by Interstat’s ELO system with a 97.60 percent probability to win, controlled the match from the outset, though it took nearly 20 minutes to break through the visitors’ defense. The final score surpassed the statistical service’s projected final of 1-0.

Maccabi’s dominance was rewarded in the 18th minute when midfielder Dor Peretz found the back of the net, giving the hosts an early lead they would not relinquish. The goal set the tone for a first half largely dictated by Maccabi.

The match’s pivotal moment, however, came just before halftime from an unexpected source. Substitute Ariel Shirdatzki, who had entered the game earlier, made an immediate and dramatic impact. In the second minute of first-half stoppage time, Shirdatzki scored to double Maccabi’s advantage, sending the teams into the break with the home side leading 2-0. His contribution was not finished, as he would later add an assist.

The second half saw Maccabi continue to press. The victory was effectively sealed in the 90th minute when another Maccabi player, Ido Shahar, put his name on the scoresheet with a goal in the first minute of second-half stoppage time, pushing the lead to 3-0.

Ironi Kir Shmona managed to find a consolation goal in the dying moments of the match, denying Maccabi a clean sheet. The late goal provided a small measure of pride for the visitors but did little to change the outcome.

The match was a physical affair, with the referee issuing six yellow cards. Maccabi’s Tyrese Asante and Ironi Kir Shmona’s Ariel Shirdatzki were both booked within a minute of each other early in the first half, in the 13th and 14th minutes, respectively. Other cautions were given to Maccabi’s Raz Shlomo (38th minute), Saied Farchi (45th minute), and Mohamed Aly Camara (56th minute), along with Ironi Kir Shmona’s Mohamad Abu Rumi in the 87th minute.

Beyond the goal scorers, the victory was built on several key performances. For Maccabi, midfielder Elad Madmon also contributed a goal, while defenders Raz Shlomo, Tyrese Asante, and Mohamed Aly Camara each recorded an assist, highlighting the team’s offensive contribution from the backline. Forward Saied Farchi and substitute Mohamad Abu Rumi were also credited with assists in the winning effort.

With the win, Maccabi Tel Aviv begins its domestic campaign with a perfect record of one win and zero losses, establishing an early positive momentum. Ironi Kir Shmona, conversely, starts the season on the wrong foot, falling to zero wins and one loss. The records for both teams across all competitions mirror their Ligat ha’Al standings after this opening match.