Matchday 31: Valletta 0 Marsaxlokk 1

Marsaxlokk secured a crucial victory in the race for the Final Four championship, edging Valletta 1–0 in a tightly contested match. Despite Valletta creating more opportunities in the second half, they were unable to find the equaliser, in a game marked by several errors from both sides.

The match started brightly, and after just three minutes Marsaxlokk won possession in a dangerous area through Nikolai Muscat, but Valletta goalkeeper Adilson reacted well to make a low save.

Marsaxlokk continued to press, and in the 14th minute Arias tested Adilson with a low strike that was comfortably stopped. Two minutes later, Valletta responded with a long-range effort from Jake Azzopardi, which failed to trouble the keeper.

In the 28th minute, Soares attempted to break through for Marsaxlokk but was denied by a solid challenge from Beltija, and his final effort lacked precision. Around the half-hour mark, a defensive error allowed Marsaxlokk to launch a quick attack, with Corbalan setting up Kirby on the edge of the area, but his shot was deflected out for a corner. Valletta threatened shortly after from a corner taken by Messias, but Mbende could not keep his effort on target.

The breakthrough came in the 35th minute. After an initial double attempt, the ball fell kindly to Aguirre on the left, who finished past Adilson to give Marsaxlokk the lead.

Marsaxlokk pushed for a second goal before the break and appealed for a penalty following a challenge involving Adilson, but after a VAR check, the referee allowed play to continue. Valletta had one final chance before halftime through Aldama, whose shot from the edge of the box went wide, leaving Marsaxlokk leading 1–0 at the interval.

Early in the second half, Soares tested Adilson once again, while Valletta came close a minute later when Brandon Paiber struck from distance, only to see his effort hit the post. Valletta increased the pressure, and in the 62nd minute a cross from Meijer found Andrea Zammit at the far post, but he struggled to control the ball under pressure.

Marsaxlokk nearly doubled their lead in the 66th minute when Kirby met a corner with a header that struck the post. Valletta’s best chance came in the 72nd minute, but Yuri Messias, left unmarked, fired wide of the target.

In the closing stages, Muscat tried his luck for Marsaxlokk in the 83rd minute, but Adilson made a straightforward save. Despite Valletta’s late push, Marsaxlokk held firm to claim a vital three points.

VALLETTA: Aguero dos Santos, Paiber Brandon, Azzopardi Jake (70’ Mendoza Uzuka), Regala De Figueiredo, Yankam Yannick (81’ Espana Jhoan), Brewer JR Shaft, Mbende Moise, Micallef Neil, De Jesus Messias, Aldama Thaylor (57’ Andrea Zammit), Meijer Stijn Valentijn(70’ Basher Ahmed).

MARSAXLOKK: Mafoumbi Christoffer, El Hasni Oualid, Pepe Enrico, Muscat Nicolai, Corbolan Juan Carlos, Arias Jose (88’Linden Rasmus), Soares Jorge (88’ Ghio Jake), Kirby James (76’ Soares Da Silva), Caruana Triston, Minala Joseph (48’
Mihana Redon), Aquirre Leandro.

Scorers: 35′ L. Aguirre (M)

Yellow Cards: E. Pepe, C. Mafoumbi, O. El Hasni (M)

Referee: S. Petrovic

Man of the Match: L. Aguirre (M)