Gżira United moved on the brink of securing a Top 6 berth as a late strike from Clayton Failla enabled them to overcome Hibernians 1-0 at the Tony Bezzina Stadium.

Gżira United snatched a dramatic victory against the run of play on Saturday, as a late Clayton Failla free-kick secured a 1-0 win over Hibernians, pushing the Maroons to the verge of a Top 6 spot.

While Hibernians dominated possession and carved out the better opportunities, their wastefulness in front of goal proved costly. In contrast, Gżira remained clinical, capitalizing on one of their few shots on target to claim three vital points. The result lifts Gżira to third place in the standings with 17 points, leaving them just shy of mathematical certainty for the Top 6—a status that could be confirmed if Sliema Wanderers and Birkirkara fail to win their respective weekend fixtures.

For Hibernians, the defeat is a crushing blow. Remaining in ninth place with 11 points, the Paolites now require a minor miracle to break into the championship group for the second phase of the season.

First Half Dominance

Hibernians began the encounter with high intensity. Within five minutes, Kevin Halabaku seemed certain to score, only to be denied by a spectacular fingertip save from Gżira goalkeeper Edoardo Colombo.

The pressure continued in the 17th minute when Bjorn Kristensen found Duane Bonnici inside the box, but a desperate block from Isemoli Chrisenovic kept the scores level. Halabaku remained a constant threat, seeing a 26th-minute effort blocked by the defense before Colombo once again saved the follow-up. Gżira’s only meaningful response in the first half came on the half-hour mark, when Brooklyn Borg tested goalkeeper Branescu with a low drive.

Failla Finds the Breakthrough

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Hibs searching for the elusive opener. In the 74th minute, Cleiton teed up Alfred Silas, who uncharacteristically fired wide. With seven minutes remaining, the Paolites went agonizingly close again as Charleston’s header from a corner whistled past the post.

However, the game turned in the 87th minute. Gżira were awarded a central free-kick, and veteran Clayton Failla stepped up to strike a powerful effort that caught Branescu off guard. The ball hit the back of the net, sparking jubilant celebrations among the Maroons’ camp and leaving Hibernians to rue their missed chances.