Valletta advance to Jubilee Cup Final with late goals

Valletta scored two second-half goals to defeat Tarxien Rainbows 2-0 and secure their place in the final of the Malta FA Jubilee Cup. The match proved to be a difficult test for the Citizens, who struggled to break down a resilient Tarxien defence until the latter stages.

Valletta were unlucky not to go ahead in the first half when a shot from Yuri Messias struck the foot of the upright in the 21st minute. Tarxien also had their chances, with a Rafael Tavares header going close.

The dynamic of the match changed in the second half. Valletta were reduced to ten men in the 55th minute when Neil Micallef received his second yellow card for a foul on Erico Junior.

However, it was ten-man Valletta who found the breakthrough. In the 70th minute, Thaylor provided an assist from the right wing for Yuri Messias, who slotted the ball past goalkeeper Miguel Spiteri.

Tarxien were also reduced to ten men shortly after when Rafael Tavares was shown a red card for a dangerous tackle on Messias in the 75th minute.

Valletta sealed the win in stoppage time. Thaylor again was the provider, setting up Brandon Paiber to hit home the decisive goal. A late Tarxien goal was disallowed after a FVS (presumably VAR) review found a foul in the build-up.

Score: Valletta 2 (Messias 70, Paiber 90+5), Tarxien Rainbows 0

Valletta Lineup: A. Maringa, S. Borg, A. Zammit (90’ K. Ewurum), B. Paiber, J. Azzopardi (66’ Z. Cassar), Y. Yankam (90’ J. Mendoza), S. Brewer, N. Micallef, Y. Messias, S. Radic, E. Gomes (46’ Thaylor).

Tarxien Rainbows Lineup: M. Spiteri, M. D’Alessandro, T. Santos (71’ Tavinho), E. Junior (57’ Nhayson), G. Vella (82’ L. Borg), S. Mizzi, K. Donsu (82’ C. Murici), R. Tavares, W. Bahia (57’ J. Quitongo), A. Vella, M. Grima.

Referee: Matthew De Gabriele

Yellow Cards: S. Borg, N. Micallef, S. Mizzi

Red Cards: Neil Micallef (V) 55’, Rafael Tavares (T) 75’