Sliema Wanderers overturned an early setback to claim a crucial 2–1 victory over Birkirkara, climbing to joint-third in the Top Six standings. The Blues were forced to fight hard after conceding just four minutes into the match, but a second-half red card for Birkirkara goalkeeper Miguel Martinez shifted the momentum firmly in their favour.

Birkirkara made the perfect start when Sliema failed to clear a Shaun Dimech corner and Leandro Lacunza fired past Rashed Al Tumi to give the Stripes an early lead. Despite falling behind, Sliema struggled to impose themselves during the first half, with Martinez largely untroubled apart from a smart stop on an Adam Magri Overend effort following a cross from Roko Prša.

The turning point came four minutes after the restart. Martinez raced off his line to challenge Vito Plut, but crashed into the Sliema forward with excessive force. Referee Alex Johnson immediately produced a straight red card for violent conduct, a decision upheld following a review on Football Video Support.

With Birkirkara reduced to ten men, Sliema increased their attacking pressure. Their efforts paid off in the 64th minute, when a corner from Steve Pisani found Prša, who connected with a superbly-controlled volley into the top corner to level the match.

Sliema continued to push, forcing substitute goalkeeper Matthew Grech into a fine save when Pisani tried his luck from distance ten minutes from time. But the Blues’ persistence was rewarded moments later. From the resulting corner, again delivered by Prša, Pisani’s initial header was blocked, only for the midfielder to react quickest and steer the rebound home for the winner.

The victory lifts Sliema to 22 points, joining third-placed rivals in the chase behind leaders Floriana, while Birkirkara were left to rue their missed opportunity after a promising start undone by a costly dismissal.