Sliema Wanderers booked their place in the semi-finals of the MFA Jubilee Cup after striking twice in the second half to defeat Mosta, maintaining their bid for glory in this one-off competition.

Goals from Fernandinho and Miguel Baggio sealed a deserved victory for the Wanderers, who were the superior side throughout. Yet Mosta were left frustrated, particularly with Sliema’s second goal, as replays indicated the ball had gone out of play before Fernandinho provided the assist. Their appeals fell on deaf ears, with the Football Video Support system unavailable for this match due to a technical malfunction.

Despite the controversy, Sliema march on to Wednesday’s semi-final, where they will face the winner of Żabbar St Patrick vs Żebbuġ Rangers.

From the outset, Sliema controlled proceedings while Mosta chose to sit deep and rely on quick breaks—tactics that rarely troubled the Wanderers’ backline.

The first real chance arrived after 16 minutes when Steve Pisani found Vito Plut, whose low effort was turned away by goalkeeper Anse Demba. Mosta struggled to create danger, and chances remained scarce on both ends.

Sliema came close again in the 38th minute when Pisani weaved into the area and squared the ball, only for Demba’s touch to direct it into the path of Adam Magri Overend, who blasted over. Moments later, Mosta produced their only real threat of the half when Matthew Bolanos hit the side netting after Sliema failed to fully clear a corner.

Just 40 seconds into the second half, Sliema made the breakthrough. Plut pressed high, won possession and sent Fernandinho through on goal, with the Brazilian making no mistake from close range.

Six minutes later, Plut again turned provider, setting up Miguel Baggio, but Demba was quick to block his attempt.

Sliema’s second arrived soon after—though under dispute. From a corner delivered by Roko Prša, Demba pushed the ball onto the crossbar. Fernandinho reached the rebound and nudged it into Baggio’s path, who fired home. Mosta players immediately protested, claiming the ball had been out of play in the build-up, but referee Glen Tonna stood firm.

Substitute Sulehmana Bah nearly made an instant impact for Mosta on 67 minutes, but his shot was kept out by the Sliema goalkeeper.

In stoppage time, Sliema almost added a third when Kyrian Nwoko’s header rattled the post, but by then the outcome was already beyond doubt.

A composed and commanding display ensured Sliema’s safe passage into the final four, keeping their Jubilee Cup ambitions very much alive.