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Matchday 19: Valletta 4 Naxxar L. 2

01/02/2026

Valletta emerged victorious against Naxxar Lions in the third match of the final round of the YoHealth Malta Premier Championship.

Valletta were quick to threaten, creating danger as early as the second minute. Captain Brandon Paiber delivered a free-kick to Messias, who struck from distance, forcing goalkeeper Debono into an acrobatic save. However, in the same minute, Naxxar Lions took the lead when a cross from the left found Montero, who arrived well at the far post and finished from close range.

In the fourth minute, Valletta responded with an attacking move down the left, as Micallef sent in a cross for Aldama, whose close-range effort was smothered by Debono. A minute later, Aldama was shown a yellow card by referee Rizoski following a foul on de Souza in midfield.

Naxxar threatened again in the 26th minute when Pahama set up Montero for a long-range attempt, but his shot sailed high. Two minutes later, Valletta’s Basher rose highest from a corner but headed over the bar.

The Lions doubled their advantage in the 31st minute after Ferreira de Jesus played a low ball into the area, finding Pahama, who laid it off for Souza dos Santos to finish from close range. Ferreira de Jesus was later booked in the 33rd minute.

Valletta tried to pull one back in the 35th minute when Yankam broke into the box from the right and cut the ball back to Basher, but the latter failed to convert from a central position. Naxxar nearly added a third in the 39th minute after Pereira da Silva delivered a low pass to Montero, but goalkeeper Aguero dos Santos reacted well to deny him.

In the 42nd minute, Messias tested Debono again with a left-sided free-kick, though the goalkeeper remained alert and pushed the ball away. Deep into first-half stoppage time, Ferreira de Jesus unleashed a powerful effort from outside the area, which Aguero dos Santos could only parry. The rebound fell to Souza dos Santos, but defender Radic intervened to clear the danger off the line.

VALLETTA: A. Dos Santos, B. Paiber (J. Mendoza), J. Azzopardie, Y. Yankam(86’ T. Mellilo), S. Brewer, A. Adebayo (86’ K. Ewurum), E. Mbende, N. Micallef (46’ M. Elluk), Y. Messias, S. Radic, T. Aldama (82’ A. ZAmmit).

NAXXAR L: M. Debono, J. De Souza Iseppe (85’ C. Kontchou Nganmini), G. De Campos Goncalves, M. Fenech (67’ N. Pace Cocks), N. Pahama, J. Souza Dos Santos, Y. Montero Manzan0 (58’ S. Guehi), R. Pereira da Silva, M. Micallef (85’ C. Gauci), V. Ferreira, J. Moura Cardoso.

Scorers: Y. Montero Manzano, J. Souza dos Santos (N), 36′ 57′ A. Adebayo, 59′ 66′ Y. Messias (V)

Yellow Cards: T. Aldama (V)

Referee: V. Rizoski

Man of the Match: A. Adebayo