Floriana and Gzira share spoils, Valletta register first win

Floriana Held by Gżira in Entertaining 1-1 Draw

Floriana and Gżira United battled to a 1-1 draw in a thrilling encounter at the Tony Bezzina Stadium, with both sides producing moments of quality and drama. The result sees the Greens maintain their unbeaten start to the season, moving to the top of the Premier League table ahead of their derby against Valletta. Meanwhile, Gżira remain winless but showed resilience after facing a tough run of opponents — Hibernians, Birkirkara, and now Floriana.

Gżira coach Clive Mizzi opted for a bold approach, handing debuts to 19-year-olds Karl Sargent in goal and Deacon Abela in defence. Floriana boss Daniel da Silva Portela adjusted his setup by positioning Federico Varela centrally behind striker Rui Manuel Areias, with Jake Grech deployed on the right.

The Maroons started brightly, with André da Costa Penha and Maxuell Maia combining well early on. After just 11 minutes, Gżira took the lead. From a left-flank free kick, instead of Clayton Failla’s expected strike, Maia surprised everyone with a low shot that deflected off Wallace Bonilha, wrong-footing Floriana goalkeeper Guilherme Cioletti.

Floriana’s response was immediate. Just five minutes later, Varela sliced through Gżira’s defence with a precise through-ball. Areias timed his run perfectly and calmly slotted past debutant Sargent to level the score.

The Greens pressed for a second, with Sargent denying Owen Spiteri’s header and saving a close-range strike from Areias after another slick move.

In the second half, Mizzi strengthened Gżira’s defence by introducing Andrew Borg and later shifting to a five-man backline with Gabriel Bohrer and Santiago Perlaza coming on. The adjustment almost paid off when Fabricio Silva Virgens forced Cioletti into a brilliant double save on the hour mark.

Floriana substitute Mustapha Jah came close late on after being set up by Francisco Teixeira, but Sargent produced a fine stop. Deep into stoppage time, Virgens nearly snatched a winner for Gżira, but his shot was saved by Cioletti. Brooklyn Borg went down under contact when chasing the rebound, only for referee Ishmael Barbara to wave play on and book him for simulation — a decision that left the Maroons furious.

In the end, a draw felt fair after a hard-fought battle. Floriana continue their steady climb, while Gżira showed signs of progress as they search for their first win of the season.

Match Stats

Final Score: Floriana 1-1 Gżira United
Goals:

• 0-1 Maxuell (11’) – Gżira

• 1-1 Areias (17’) – Floriana

Floriana Line-Up:
G. Cioletti, L. Lopez, J. Grech (83′ E. Piscopo), F. Varela (63′ M. Jah), D. Vella, O. Spiteri, C. M’Mombwa, J. Gamarra, I. Mendonca, M. Veselji (46′ F. Teixeira), R. Areias (76′ A. Akoi Arok).

Gżira Line-Up:
K. Sargent, D. Abela (46′ A. Borg), A. Da Costa Penha (59′ S. Perlaza), Maxuell (89′ B. Borg), C. Failla, L. Riascos, J. Becerra, M. Van de Bovenkamp (66′ P. Fonseca), J. Calderon, W. Bonilha (59′ G. Bohrer), F. Virgens.

Referee: Ishmael Barbara

Yellow Cards: Abela (Gżira), Gamarra (Floriana), Akoi (Floriana), Vella (Floriana), Lopez (Floriana), Borg (Gżira)

Valletta Earn First Win, End Marsaxlokk’s Perfect Start

Valletta finally claimed their first victory of the season, defeating Marsaxlokk 3-1 at the Tony Bezzina Stadium. The result halted Marsaxlokk’s perfect start after two straight wins, while the Citizens built momentum following back-to-back draws against title contenders Birkirkara and Ħamrun Spartans.

The match started with controversy as Valletta appealed for a penalty when Jefferson appeared to be fouled by goalkeeper Christopher Mafoumbi, but referee Ezekiel Barbara waved play on despite replays suggesting contact.

Marsaxlokk’s best first-half chance came in the 21st minute when Marcelo Santos Barros headed the ball into Ailton’s path, only for Valletta keeper Adilson to pull off a stunning save.
Valletta nearly struck before the break through captain Steve Borg, whose powerful run and strike rattled the post.

The second half saw Valletta burst into life.

• 47’ – Jefferson capitalized on a deflected cross from Thaylor, lofting the ball over Mafoumbi for 1-0.

• 51’ – Yuri Messias doubled the lead with a superb curling left-foot finish after a well-worked move involving Yannick Yankam and Thaylor.

Marsaxlokk responded in the 63rd minute when Joseph Minala slid in at the far post to convert a flicked header from Arias, cutting the deficit to 2-1. Substitute Nevin Portelli almost equalized late on, but his powerful drive struck the post.

In stoppage time, Andrea Zammit set up Yankam, who coolly chipped over Mafoumbi to seal Valletta’s deserved 3-1 win.

Match Stats

Final Score: Valletta 3-1 Marsaxlokk

Goals:

• 1-0 Jefferson (47’) – Valletta

• 2-0 Yuri Messias (51’) – Valletta

• 2-1 Minala (63’) – Marsaxlokk

• 3-1 Yankam (90’) – Valletta

Valletta Line-up:
Adilson, S. Borg, B. Paiber (90′ R. Muscat), Y. Yankam, S. Brewer, N. Micallef, Y. Messias (87′ A. Zammit), S. Radic, Thaylor, Jefferson (90′ T. Melillo), J. Mendoza (80′ J. Azzopardi).

Marsaxlokk Line-up:
C. Mafoumbi, O. El Hasni, N. Muscat, J. Arias (68′ A. Majok), J. Corbalan, Dodo (87′ E. Attard), J. Vella (68′ T. Caruana), J. Minala (81′ N. Portelli), L. Aguirre, R. Mihana, M. Barros.

Referee: Ezekiel Barbara

Yellow Cards: Arias (Marsaxlokk), Thaylor (Valletta), Adilson (Valletta)