Valletta returned to winning form with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Marsaxlokk, a match decided by a second-half header from Yannick Yankam and marked by late drama at both ends.

The opening half was evenly contested, with both sides enjoying spells of possession but creating few clear-cut chances. Marsaxlokk were first to threaten on 11 minutes when Juan Corbalan found Ayom Majok on the left, whose low cross was intercepted by Steve Borg before it could reach Juvhel Tsoumou. Leandro Aguirre then fired a free-kick over the bar shortly afterwards.

Valletta responded through Evandro Gomes, whose cross from the right was met by Yuri Messias, but the Brazilian’s header drifted wide. Goalkeeper Adilson Maringa was later called into action to deny Tsoumou with a smart save, while he also parried Aguirre’s effort from a subsequent corner.

The Citizens gradually grew into the match and went close again through Messias and Brandon Paiber, both trying their luck from distance before the break.

Breakthrough in second half

Valletta emerged with greater intent after the restart, and the introduction of Thaylor and Jackson Mendoza added fresh impetus. Their pressure finally paid off on 67 minutes when Shaft Brewer delivered an inviting cross from the left and Yannick Yankam rose well to head past Christoffer Mafoumbi, giving Valletta the lead.

Marsaxlokk pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but Valletta looked dangerous on the counter, with Messias seeing a close-range effort blocked by Mafoumbi on 78 minutes.

The closing stages produced high drama. With six minutes remaining, referee Glen Tonna, following a video review, awarded Marsaxlokk a penalty after Weder Silva was pushed inside the area by Srdjan Radic, who was also shown a second yellow card and dismissed. However, Nikolai Muscat failed to convert from the spot as Maringa produced a superb save to preserve Valletta’s advantage.

Moments later, Marsaxlokk’s frustrations deepened when Muscat was sent off for pushing Thaylor to the ground, leaving both teams with ten men. Deep into stoppage time, the Southseasiders thought they had snatched an equaliser when Marcelo Santos found the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside against Tsoumou after another video review.

Valletta held on to claim a valuable three points, while Marsaxlokk were left to rue missed opportunities in a dramatic finish at the National Stadium.