Matchday 10: Valletta 1 Gzira U. 1
28/10/2025
Valletta needed a penalty from Yuri Messias to preserve their unbeaten record as they could only manage a 1-1 draw against Gżira United.
The Citizens held the edge for the majority of the match but despite creating the better chances, they could not turn their superiority into goals
The capital club looked in trouble when they found themselves behind when Garbiel Mentz converted a penalty early in the second half.
But the Citizens showed great character to fight back and level the match from another penalty, converted by Yuri Messias.
The Citizens tried to push for a winner but lacked any real threat to settle for a draw that leaves them level with leaders Floriana, who face Ħamrun Spartans today.
On the other hand, Gżira moved up on the ten-point mark and their hopes of Top Six qualification are mathematically over.
Valletta dominated completely the first half and could have taken the lead after only three minutes of play.
Yannick Yankam won possession on the edge of the area, and his low shot was brilliantly pushed away by Edoardo Colombo.
The Gżira United custodian again distinguished himself on 19 minutes when Jefferson turned past his marker but was blocked by the diving Gabriel Mentz as he was about to shoot.
Gżira continued to struggle to create any sort of danger and it was Valletta who again came close on the half-hour mark when Yuri Messias showed great skill to turn past his marker, but his rising shot forced a brilliant one-handed save from Colombo.
The last chance of the half came Valletta’s way again when Messias powered inside the area, rounded Colombo, and quickly sent a cross at the far post towards Jefferson, who saw his overhead kick finish wide.
In the second half, Gżira United started to push more forward, and in their first real opportunity, they took the lead.
Emanuel Mbende pushed Virgens inside the area, and the referee immediately pointed to the spot.
Mentz stepped up and drilled the ball past Valletta goalkeeper Adilson.
Valletta quickly fought back, and they managed to draw level soon after when they too were awarded a penalty.
Mbende went down when challenged by Brenes inside the area, and from the spot, Messias sent Colombo the wrong way.
Gżira had a good chance to restore their lead on 69 minutes when, from a Failla free-kick, Brenes headed over with only Adilson to beat.
Valletta piled up the pressure in the latter stages but could not find a breakthrough and had to settle for a point.
Source: Times of Malta
VALLETTA: A. dos Santos, S. Borg, B. Paiber, Y. Yankam, M. Emmanuel Mbende, Y. Messias, S. Radić, T. Aldama, E. Pinto Gomes (A. Zammit), J. De Assis (A. Ciolacu), J. Mendoza (S. Brewer).
GZIRA U: E. Colombo, G. Mentz, P. Fonseca Brenes, A. Borg, B. Borg (S. Perlaza), A. Penha Da Costa, C. Failla, L. Riascos, D. Xuereb, W. Felix, F. Silva Virgens
Scorers: 56′ G. Mentz (Gzira), 63′ Y. Messias (V)
Yellow Cards: S. Borg, B. Paiber, S. Radic, T. Aldama (V), E. Colombo, L. Riascos (G)
Referee: P. Farrugia
