Real Madrid defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv 98-86 in an empty Movistar Arena, marking their third straight Euroliga win. The game was played without spectators due to the government delegation's order amid protests against Israel. Campazzo and Tavares led the whites' comeback after a shaky start.
Real Madrid secured a key Euroliga victory by beating Maccabi Tel Aviv 98-86 on January 8, 2026, in an empty Movistar Arena. The no-spectator measure, ordered by the government delegation for security reasons tied to anti-Israel protests, is standard in Spain for home games against Israeli teams but not elsewhere, disadvantaging Spain's four representatives.
The match echoed pandemic-era games, with empty stands amplifying the squeaks of sneakers in the silence. Sergio Scariolo's team started unevenly, conceding 47 points in the first half and trailing by eight against a Maccabi fresh off a clear loss in Barcelona and missing injured Lonnie Walker. Triples from Andrés Feliz and Okeke helped the whites reach halftime with a slim lead.
In the second half, Madrid stepped up defensively, with Edy Tavares dominating the paint. Facundo Campazzo shifted gears with a 15-2 run that propelled the team, while Mario Hezonja scored 16 points and Campazzo added 15. Scariolo, whose early shouts for intensity echoed clearly, later reflected: «It was a trap game. Until we got used to the atmosphere, some surreal situations arose».
This win, their seventh in the last ten Euroliga games, positions Real Madrid one victory from the top spot. Their next three matches are at home, including Friday against Barcelona, at a pivotal time before the Copa del Rey in February.
