Leandro Aguirre proved the hero for Marsaxlokk after scoring the decisive goal in a hard-fought victory that lifted the Southerners into second place on 28 points, level with ฤฆamrun Spartans.
The result means the battle for the runners-up spot behind Closing Round winners Floriana will now be settled on the final day of the season.
ฤฆamrun Spartans are set to face Valletta, while Marsaxlokk will take on Naxxar Lions. If both sides win their respective fixtures, a decider will be required to determine who finishes second.
Should ฤฆamrun prevail in that scenario, the league title would be decided in a Finalissima on May 16. If Marsaxlokk come out on top, a Final Four would instead be staged featuring Floriana, ฤฆamrun Spartans, Marsaxlokk and Valletta.
Relegation Fight Also Set for Dramatic Finish
At the other end of the table, the relegation battle remains equally tense after ลปabbar St Patrick held Sliema Wanderers to a 1-1 draw.
That result moved ลปabbar level on points with second-from-bottom Tarxien Rainbows, ensuring that next weekendโs final round of matches will deliver crucial verdicts.
A similar decider scenario could emerge in the Bottom Six. If Tarxien defeat Sliema Wanderers and ลปabbar overcome Hibernians, an additional play-off would be needed to determine who joins Mosta in the bottom two places.
If Tarxien finish second from bottom, they will be relegated automatically, while Mosta and Naxxar Lions would contest a relegation play-off.
If ลปabbar end the season second from bottom, a Final Four would instead be held involving ลปabbar, Mosta, Naxxar and Tarxien.
Marsaxlokk Edge Valletta
At the National Stadium, Marsaxlokk entered the match knowing only victory would do and they started aggressively.
Ulises Arias was denied by Valletta goalkeeper Adilson Maringa after 14 minutes, while eight minutes later Dodo Soares was picked out by Nicholas Muscat but fired over the bar.
Vallettaโs best chance of the first half came on 33 minutes. From a Yuri Messias corner, Steijner headed the ball into the path of Emmanuel Mbende, who missed the target from close range.
That miss proved costly as Marsaxlokk struck a minute later.
In a swift counterattack, Kirby found Muscat, who squared the ball to Arias. His effort was cleared off the line by Diogo Tavares, but Aguirre reacted quickest to slam home the rebound.
The assistant referee initially flagged for offside, but after a review through the Football Video Support system, referee Slobodan Petrovic overturned the decision and awarded the goal.
Valletta Push but Marsaxlokk Hold Firm
After the interval, Valletta increased the pressure in search of an equaliser. On 63 minutes, a cross from Meijer found Andrea Zammit, who fired over.
Nine minutes later, substitute Adebayo intercepted an Enrico Pepe pass and immediately squared for Messias, who somehow shot wide from close range.
Marsaxlokk nearly doubled their lead on 81 minutes when Aguirre intercepted a loose pass just outside the area, but his deflected effort was brilliantly saved by Maringa.
That proved to be the final major chance as Marsaxlokk held on for a vital victory that keeps their hopes alive heading into a dramatic final day.
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
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