Matchday 30: Valletta 0 Floriana 2

Floriana emerged victorious against Valletta in the third match of the closing round of the YoHealth Malta Premier Championship, a result that secured them the closing round title.

Floriana threatened early in the seventh minute when a cross from the left found Linhares, whose header narrowly cleared the bar. Valletta responded soon after, earning a corner in the 10th minute delivered by captain Paiber, but Mbende’s header went off target. In the 17th minute, Paiber set up Messias from a free kick, forcing Floriana goalkeeper Cioletti into a save. Paiber later tried his luck from distance in the 22nd minute, but his effort drifted wide.

The match saw its first booking in the 24th minute when Paiber was cautioned for a foul on Varela. Floriana created several chances as the half progressed, with Perreira Mendonca, Linhares, and others unable to find the target. Valletta’s Radic was also booked before halftime following a foul on M’ Mombwa. Just before the break, both sides had opportunities—Floriana through Lonardelli and Valletta through Tavares—but neither could break the deadlock.

Valletta made the first substitution early in the second half, introducing Micallef for Borg. Floriana continued to push forward, with Mbong setting up Kurtalic in the 54th minute, but the header went just wide. Beerman received Floriana’s first yellow card shortly after for a foul on Tavares.

Valletta came close in the 62nd minute following a cross from Zammit, but a series of attempts inside the box ultimately resulted in a missed opportunity. Both teams made several substitutions as the match progressed, with Floriana’s coach Daniel Portela introducing fresh legs in attack.

In the closing stages, Valletta applied pressure, with Ellul forcing a save from Cioletti in the 83rd minute. Floriana nearly broke the deadlock in the 89th minute when Dervisagic’s header from a corner went just over.

The breakthrough finally came in stoppage time. In the 93rd minute, Floriana took the lead after a corner situation eventually fell to M’ Mombwa, who finished from the left. The goal was briefly reviewed for a potential infringement but was ultimately allowed to stand. Floriana sealed the win in the 97th minute when Dervisagic capitalized on a rebound after Aguero dos Santos’ initial save, finishing into an empty net.

VALLETTA: A. Maringa, M. Ellul, S. Borg (N. Micallef), A. Zammit (S. Meijer), B. Paiber, J. Azzopardi (J. Mendoza), D. Tavares, Y. Yankam (A. Adebayo), E. Mbende, Y. Messias, S. Radic.

FLORIANA: G. Cioletti, M. Beerman, F. Varela, D. Vella (Z. Scerri), A. Kurtalic, O. Spiteri, C. Zammit Lonardelli (A. Mabea), C. M’Mombwa, I. Perreira Mendonca, P. Mbong (K. Dervisagic), R. Linhares (M. Jah).

Scorers: 93′ C. M’Mombwa, 97′ K. Dervisagic (F)

Yellow Cards: A. Zammit, B. Paiber, S. Radic (V), G. Cioletti, M. Beerman, A. Kurtalic, C. M’Mombwa, M. Iago (F).

Referee: A. Johnson