Matchday 15: Valletta 2 Birkirkara 0
07/01/2026
Valletta continued to aim for a second place with a relatively easy victory over Birkirkara, scoring two goals in the first half, in a game that lacked action and beautiful football, especially in the second half.
Valletta started well and went early in the lead through a Messias penalty and added another goal before the interval. Birkirkara played half the second half with a player less, another confused and mediocre performance, which led to the fifth consecutive loss of the Stripes.
Valletta started better and took the initiative and after seven minutes an incident in the stupes box where Messias was demolished, with the Beltin requesting video support, with the referee ordering the penalty after seeing a repetition of the action.
From the 11 metres the Messias shot was rescued by Martinez and the rebound entered Andrea Zammit and shot in the net. However, after the action was controlled by video footage, the referee ordered that the penalty be given again and this time Messias did not err so that Valletta went to the advantage.
In the 25th minute Birkirkara was forced to change the goalkeeper where Matthew Grech replaced Martinez who was injured and could not continue. After Valletta’s good start, Birkirkara entered the game and in the 34th minute a good chance for Birkirkara where Morello alone in front of the goalkeeper slipped at the moment he was about to conclude.
Three minutes after Valletta’s good action between Paiber and Messias with Paiber’s final shot going out. In the 41st minute another good action by Valletta with the Messias shot shattered for a corner by a defender. From the same corner goalkeeper Grech pierced as he could and nearby Yankam turned into the interior. At the extra time of the first freekcik section of Acheampong to Makoma shooting slightly outside.
The second section opened with a good opportunity for Birkirkara but Aguero carried out a Save determinant on Morello’s nearby shot. After this action the game became nervous with many mistakes on both sides.
In the 65th minute following another video support review a red card Manuel Morello of Birkirkara was shown. After this dismissal, Birkirkara’s mission became impossible and Valletta controlled it without too much difficulty.
VALLETTA: A. Maringa, S. Borg (M. Ellul), A. Zammit (A. Ciolacu), B. Paiber (J. Mendoza), J. Azzopardi, Y. Yankam (T. Melillo), S. Brewer, E. Mbende, N. Micallef, Y. Messias, T. Aldama.
BIRKIRKARA: Martinez (M. Grech), Lopez, Morello, K. Reid, S. Dimech, J. Busuttil (K. Fenech), Maydana, Cross, Acheampong, Makomo, Ribeiro.
Scorers: 11′ Y. Messias, 42′ Y. Yankam (V)
Yellow Cards: Morello,
Red Card: Morello (B).
Referee: P. Farrugia
