Naxxar Lions 1
Vitinho 82

Sliema Wanderers 1
Djuranović 90+1

Sliema Wanderers rescued a dramatic late point as Uroš Djuranović struck in added time to earn a 1-1 draw against Naxxar Lions.

After a subdued first half with few chances at either end, the match came to life following the break, with Naxxar looking the more enterprising side and eventually appearing set to claim all three points.

The Lions made three changes from the side that lost to Ħamrun Spartans, recalling Cedric Kontchou, Yeangel Montero and Vitinho to the starting line-up, while Theo Seara Kruger, Louis Pahama and Rosiel dropped out. On the other side, Sliema coach Pablo Doffo handed a start to Wescley ahead of Adam Magri Overend.

The opening period produced little goalmouth action, with both goalkeepers largely untroubled. The first real opportunity arrived on 35 minutes when Vinicius Baiano завершил a strong run with a powerful effort that drifted wide. Moments later, Mohamed Awad tested Matthias Debono with a long-range attempt.

Early in the second half, João Moura came close with a free-kick that skimmed past the post, before Naxxar struck the woodwork a minute later when Baiano’s header from a Vitinho corner crashed against the crossbar.

Naxxar continued to press and were rewarded on 82 minutes. Neil Pace Cocks released Vitinho down the left, and the Brazilian kept his composure to beat Kelvin Emeka Agu and put the Lions ahead.

Sliema, however, refused to surrender and pushed forward in search of an equaliser. Their persistence paid off one minute into added time when Vito Plut directed a header into the path of Djuranović, who evaded Daniel Letherby and slotted past Debono to salvage a valuable point.

The result keeps Sliema one point ahead of Naxxar in the standings, with both sides still chasing the teams above them in a tightly contested Closing Round.