Meridianbet FA Trophy 2025/26 – Semi-final
Gżira United……….2
Naxxar Lions……..1
Gżira United are the first finalists of the Meridianbet FA Trophy after defeating Naxxar Lions 2-1 after extra time.
Naxxar Lions took the lead in the 21st minute when Souza Dos Santos produced an excellent strike from outside the penalty area, giving Colombo no chance as the ball ended up in the net for 1-0.
In the 31st minute, Gżira appeared to have found the equaliser after Penha received the ball inside the area and beat Debono with a low shot, but the goal was disallowed for a highly debatable offside.
Gżira United went close again in the 42nd minute when Penha played a precise pass towards Riascos, who, from in front of Debono, hit a low effort, but the Maltese goalkeeper saved well to keep the score at 1-0.
Gżira found the leveller in the 76th minute following a corner delivered by Bonilla, with Penha left unmarked to head past Debono and make it 1-1.
In added time, Naxxar Lions came close to scoring the winner when Cardoso headed towards goal from a corner, with the ball appearing close to crossing the line, but referee Alex Johnson ruled that it had not gone in.
Then, in extra time, in the 101st minute, Gżira United went in front after Rosiel brought down Brooklyn Borg inside the penalty area, with referee Alex Johnson awarding a penalty. Maxuell Maia stepped up and calmly converted from the spot to make it 2-1.
In the 120th minute, Naxxar Lions were reduced to 10 men after Matthias Debono committed a foul near the halfway line while being the last man.
Referee: Alex Johnson
