Floriana 2
M’Mombwa 90, Dervisagic 90+

Valletta 0

Floriana struck twice in stoppage time to defeat Valletta 2-0 and mathematically secure top spot, moving 12 points clear at the summit.

The Greens now await confirmation of how the championship will be decided. The title could be settled through a direct decider against Opening Round winners Ħamrun Spartans, or through a Final Four format should another side finish second.

A draw would have been enough for Floriana to guarantee first place, but two late goals ensured they claimed all three points in dramatic fashion.

Valletta made the brighter start and looked the more threatening side in the opening stages, though Floriana gradually settled into the contest and began to grow in confidence.

Floriana coach Daniel Portela named the same starting line-up that featured against Marsaxlokk in the previous match, with Jake Grech once again among the substitutes.

Valletta introduced Mattias Ellul and Steve Borg to the starting eleven, while Neil Micallef began on the bench and later replaced Borg early in the second half. Thaylor was unavailable through suspension.

The Citizens created the first notable chances. On 17 minutes, Yuri Messias saw a long-range effort deflected behind for a corner, while four minutes later Jake Azzopardi fired narrowly wide from outside the area.

Floriana responded on 32 minutes when Iago Mendonca sent a low drive just off target. Shortly afterwards, Rui Areias capitalised on a loose ball from Moise Mbende before advancing and shooting over the bar.

Areias was involved again on 38 minutes, finishing off a good move down the right with a rising effort that also cleared the crossbar.

Two minutes before half-time, Carlo Zammit Lonardelli tested the Valletta goalkeeper with an angled strike after being picked out by Paul Mbong. In added time, Diogo Tavares fired over following a Yuri Messias corner.

Floriana threatened early in the second half when Alen Kurtalic headed just wide from a Federico Varela delivery. On 62 minutes, Yuri’s close-range header was blocked by Zammit Lonardelli, with Mattias Ellul sending the rebound over.

Owen Spiteri then went close with a header for Floriana, while Valletta continued to push forward. Yuri fired over from distance before Diogo Tavares had a powerful effort blocked behind for a corner.

Valletta’s best chance came when Mattias Ellul was played through on the left, only for goalkeeper Guilherme Cioletti to make an important save.

As the match entered its closing stages, Floriana found the breakthrough. In the 90th minute, Spiteri forced Adilson Maringa into a save with a fine header, but moments later the Greens took the lead. Federico Varela delivered from the right and, after a partial clearance, Charles M’Mombwa drilled the ball beyond Maringa.

Valletta pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but Floriana sealed the victory deep into stoppage time. Substitute Mustapha Jah made an excellent run down the left before his low shot was only partially stopped by Maringa, allowing fellow substitute Kenan Dervisagic to convert the rebound.

The late double sparked celebrations among the Floriana supporters as the Greens confirmed first place in emphatic fashion.