Matchday 14: Valletta 1 Marsaxlokk 0
20/12/2025
A goal mid-way through the second half enabled Valletta returned to winning ways as they defeated Marsaxlokk 1-0.
The two teams shared the exchanges throughout the first half but the Citizens showed better ideas in the second half, taking the lead.
However, in the final stages, Marsaxlokk had the opportunity to level matters.
Marsaxlokk were awarded a penalty but were denied by goalkeeper Adilson Maringa and deep in added time, they had a goal disallowed.
Marsaxlokk coach Vincenzo Potenza named an unchanged side following last week’s impressive win over Ħamrun Spartans while Valletta coach Thane Micallef opted for one change as Evandro Gomes was preferred to Thaylor.
Following a quiet start, the Southseasiders threatened on 11 minutes. Juan Corbalan served Ayom Majok on the left and the latter squared low for Tsoumou but Steve Borg cleared the ball into a corner.
Three minutes later, a free kick by Leandro Aguirre ended over the bar.
Valletta replied with a Evandro Gomes cross from the right from which Yuri Messias headed wide on 20 minutes.
Three minutes later, goalkeeper Adilson Maringa managed to turn into a corner a powerful drive by Juvhel Tsoumou.
From the resulting corner, Leandro Aguirre’s effort was parried by the Valletta custodian.
Yuri Messias had another shot from outside the area ending high on 32 minutes and five minutes later, Brandon Paiber, served by Shaft Brewer from the right, had a shot from outside the area just missing the target.
Six minutes in the second half, Christoffer Mafoumbi was called into action, neutralising a cross shot from the left by Evandro Gomes.
However, with the inclusion of substitutes Thaylor and Jackson Mendoza, Valletta increased the pressure and finally managed to break the deadlock on 67 minutes.
Shaft Brewer delivered a cross from the left and Yannick Yankam headed the ball home past goalkeeper Mafoumbi.
Yuri Messias had a close range effort blocked by the Marsaxlokk custodian when served by Radic on 78 minutes.
Six minutes from time, Potenza challenged the referee for a potential penalty as Radic pushed Weder Silva down inside the area and following FVS review, Glen Tonna awarded Marsaxlokk a penalty and dismissed Radic for a second yellow card.
However, Nikolai Muscat’s effort from the penalty spot saw Adilson Maringa turn the ball into a corner.
The Marsaxlokk captain was sent off immediately after for pushing Thaylor onto the ground.
Five minutes in added time, Marsaxlokk thought they had levelled matters when off a cross by Leandro Aguirre from the left, Marcelo Santos slotted the ball past the Valletta goalkeeper.
However, the goal was disallowed for Juvhel Tsoumou’s offside position following FVS review.
Source: Times of Malta
VALLETTA: A. Maringa, S. Borg, A. Zammit (46 A. Ciolacu), B. Paiber (90 R. Muscat), J. Azzopardi (61 J. Mendoza), Y. Yankam, S. Brewer, M. Mbende, Y. Messias (89 N. Micallef), S. Radic, E. Gomes (61 Thaylor).
MARSAXLOKK: C. Mafoumbi, W. Silva, E. Pepe, N. Muscat, J. Tsoumou, U. Arias, J. Corbalan (89’ J. Vella), Dodo (89 E. Attard), J. Minala (77 N. Portelli), L. Aguirre, A. Majok (69 M. Santos).
Scorers: 67′ Y. Yankam (V)
Referee: Glen Tonna.
Yellow cards: S. Radic (V), U. Arias, M. Santos (M).
Red cards: S. Radic (V) 84, N. Muscat (M) 86.
