Maccabi Tel Aviv's hopes of advancing in the UEFA Europa League came to a crashing halt on January 30, 2025, when they faced off against the Portuguese club FC Porto at the Partizan Stadium in Belgrade. The match ended with Porto securing a narrow 1-0 victory, effectively eliminating Maccabi from the tournament.
Under the guidance of coach Zarko Lazetic, Maccabi was aiming for victory to keep their hopes alive, knowing they had been struggling throughout the group stage. Porto, led by their new Argentine coach Martin Anselmi, was equally determined to secure their place in the knockout rounds, and they accomplished just this with the win.
The first half saw both teams engage in tactical plays, but the score remained deadlocked at 0-0 as they headed to the locker rooms. Despite some close calls, including saves from both goalkeepers, neither team was able to break the deadlock before halftime. Notably, Maccabi avoided early danger when goalkeeper Simon Sluga quickly intervened to thwart FC Porto's Danny Namaso just minutes after kickoff.
The best chance for Maccabi came late in the half when striker Dor Turgeman shot wide after being released by a perfectly timed through ball. Going scoreless at halftime, Maccabi needed to up their game if they were to overcome Porto.
Things took a turn after the interval, with Porto displaying greater urgency. Their persistence paid off when Nico González scored the only goal of the match at the 58-minute mark. A well-placed cross from João Mário found González, who headed it past Sluga, sending the Porto fans who had traveled to Belgrade wild with excitement.
Maccabi, undeterred by the setback, continued to fight back. Osher Davida created one of the best opportunities for the Israeli side. After expertly maneuvering past Porto's defense, he managed to get his shot away, but it hit the woodwork, adding to the team’s frustration.
Just as Maccabi began to rally, they thought they had found the equalizer. An effort from Dor Peretz glanced off the post and rebounded back to him, resulting in what players and fans believed to be the equalizer. Unfortunately for the home side, the linesman flagged it for offside, causing disappointment among the players and their small but passionate group of traveling fans.
Throughout the match, Maccabi struggled to keep pace with Porto's fluid attacking play. Despite showing glimpses of skill, particularly from Turgeman and Davida, the team couldn’t find the final touch required to claw their way back. Conversely, Porto showed their experience as they managed to control possession and keep Maccabi at bay, limiting their sharpness in front of goal.
The final whistle signified Maccabi Tel Aviv's exit from the Europa League, drawing the curtain on their European campaign for this season. After the match, coach Zarko Lazetic reflected on the challenges his squad faced.
"We had our moments, but we need to be sharper and more effective to win these types of matches," said Lazetic. "Every game at this level is difficult, and today we experienced how fine the margins can be." His sentiments echoed the feelings of fans and players alike who had invested their hopes and energy wishing for a different outcome.
For FC Porto, the victory secured them advancement to the knockout stages, concluding their group stage campaign with 11 points. Anselmi attributed the match's success to the resilience of his players and their ability to execute the game plan effectively under pressure. “The team responded well and showed character, which is key for the challenges we will face moving forward,” he noted.
The match underscored the stark difference between the two clubs: one seeking to regain its identity on the European stage and the other striving to build on past successes. For Maccabi, this defeat is not just about the loss but also about reflecting on their European strategy and how they plan to re-emerge as contenders. With this latest setback, spirits will have to be lifted as they seek to regroup and focus on their domestic league efforts.
For fans, they're left contemplating what could have been this season, hoping Maccabi will return stronger and more determined for the next opportunity to shine on the European stage.