A dramatic goal by Rui Areias deep into stoppage time handed Floriana a thrilling 2–1 comeback victory over Gżira United in a top-of-the-table clash at Matchday 21.
In a match that pitted the league’s joint leaders against each other, Gżira struck early through Maxuell Maia before Floriana responded after the break. Following a lengthy late interruption, the Greens snatched the winner in the dying moments to claim all three points and move one point clear of Ħamrun Spartans at the summit. Gżira, meanwhile, remain joint third alongside Hibernians and Marsaxlokk.
Both sides made two changes from their previous outings. Gżira recalled Gabriel Mentz and Andre, while Floriana introduced Mustapha Jah and Charles M’Mombwa into the starting line-up.
Floriana showed early intent and went close after four minutes when Jah headed wide from a Myles Beerman cross. Gżira responded soon after, with Luis Riascos narrowly missing the target with a header from a corner.
The Maroons took the lead on 11 minutes. Failla swung in a corner from the right and Maxuell Maia reacted quickest to prod the ball past Guilherme Cioletti from close range.
Gżira continued to press and nearly doubled their advantage when Maia latched onto a through ball on 20 minutes, only to be denied by Cioletti. At the other end, Jah fired wide following a promising Floriana move, while the Greens’ goalkeeper later produced a fine save to block a cross-shot by Chrisnovic N’Sa.
Floriana finished the half strongly, with Fede Varela and Kenan Dervisagic both testing Edoardo Colombo, while a late Varela effort was blocked by a Gżira defender.
Four minutes after the restart, Floriana drew level. Jake Grech delivered a corner from the right and Jah rose to beat Colombo from close range.
The Greens then pushed for a winner, with Dervisagic, Mattia Veselji and Owen Spiteri all going close, but Colombo stood firm with a series of timely saves.
Three minutes from the end, the match was halted for around ten minutes due to objects being thrown from one section of the stands. When play resumed, Floriana made their pressure count.
Fede Varela released Rui Areias down the left, and the substitute kept his composure to fire a rising shot past Colombo, sparking jubilant celebrations among the Floriana faithful.
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
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