Matchday 07: Valletta 2 Tarxien R. 1
28/09/2025
Valletta overturned an early setback to edge past Tarxien Rainbows 2-1 at the Centenary Stadium, moving up to second place in the YoHealth Malta Premier League.
Brazilian forward Yuri Messias proved decisive for the Citizens, netting twice to bring his side level on points with Ħamrun Spartans and just a point adrift of leaders Floriana.
Chances were scarce in a cautious first half. Valletta went close on 26 minutes when Jackson Mendoza released Jefferson in behind the defence, but the striker could only find the side netting.
Tarxien struck first just before the break. From a corner, Rafael Tavares was left unmarked and directed a powerful header past goalkeeper Adilson.
The lead, however, was short-lived. Straight from the restart, a loose clearance by Marcus Grima fell to Messias, who wasted no time in rifling home the equaliser.
After the interval, Valletta pushed forward in search of a winner, though they initially struggled to break down Tarxien’s defence. Messias almost put his side ahead with a fierce long-range strike that whistled just past the post 10 minutes from time.
Moments later, the breakthrough arrived. Substitute Andrea Zammit broke free down the flank and unleashed a diagonal shot that Andreas Vella could only parry into the path of Messias, who slotted home his second of the match to seal a vital three points for Valletta.
VALLETTA: A. dos Santos, S. Borg, B. Paiber (R. Muscat), Y. Yankam (E. Pinto Gomes), S. Brewer JR (A. Ciolacu), M. Mbende, Y. Messias, S. Radić, T. Aldama, J. De Assis (A. Zammit), J. Mendoza (J. Azzopardi)
TARXIEN R: A. Cassar, W. Filipe, T. Conceicao Santos (L. Zango), O. Leal De Barros, N. Da Silva Rosa, K. Donsu, N. Ofufu Ibeh, R. Azevedo Tavares, W. Dantas Dos Santos (J. De Oliviera Bastos), A. Vella (K. Gatt), M. Grima (G. Vella).
Scorers: 46 ‘ R. Azevedo Tavares (T), 47′ 82’ Y. Messias (V)
Yellow cards: A. Cassar, W. Filipe, O. Leal de Barros, N. Ibeh (T), Y. Messias, T. Aldama (V)
Referee: E. Barbara
Man of the Match: Y. Messias (V)
