Ħamrun Spartans were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by Lincoln Red Imps. Despite beating the Gibraltar champions 1-0, which resulted in a 1-1 aggregate score, Lincoln Red Imps emerged victorious in the penalty shootout during the second leg of the first qualifying round at the Europa Point Stadium in Gibraltar on Tuesday.
The Spartans played most of the match against ten men and dominated the first half. However, Lincoln Red Imps improved in the second half and managed to control their opponents until Hamrun scored with just one minute remaining. Hamrun came close to netting a second goal but were thwarted by a clearance off the line and the woodwork. In the penalty shootout, Lincoln Red Imps converted all five of their penalties, while Hamrun’s captain, Steve Borg, missed the crucial spot-kick.
As a result, Lincoln Red Imps will face Qarabağ FK of Azerbaijan in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League.
Meanwhile, Hamrun Spartans will take on FC Ballkani of Kosovo in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League, following FC Ballkani’s surprising 1-2 home defeat to UE Santa Coloma of Andorra.
The Andorra champions ultimately triumphed 6-5 on penalties after forcing extra time.
With Elionay suspended, Alessandro Zinnari included Eder in the starting eleven, while Talison was chosen over Mayron as the Hamrun coach favoured a more attacking strategy.
The home team was reduced to ten players just five minutes into the match when Daniel Bent received a red card for a violent tackle on Eder. Hamrun nearly took the lead at the 13-minute mark when Raphael Lopes’ powerful shot from outside the box was saved by goalkeeper Santana, and Joseph Mbong’s follow-up effort from close range was also blocked by the Lincoln Red Imps’ keeper.
The Spartans believed they had scored in the 23rd minute when Raphael Lopes turned in a cross from Roko Prsa, but VAR disallowed the goal for offside.
In the 35th minute, Henry Bonello made a crucial save, turning away a powerful shot from Victor Villacanas for a corner.
Thirteen minutes into the second half, Roko Prsa missed a great chance, shooting just wide from close range following a Talison corner from the left.
Hamrun finally managed to break the stalemate just one minute from the end, when Emerson Marcelina’s cross from the left found Vitao, who struck past Santana despite being surrounded by four Lincoln players.
In stoppage time, Roko Prsa exchanged passes with Mbong on the right, but the Croatian midfielder’s shot was blocked by Lopes.
With the aggregate score tied at 1-1, the match proceeded into extra time.
Three minutes into the first half of extra-time, Daniel Letherby came close for the Spartans with a shot that went just over the bar. Two minutes later, Ethan Britto’s effort from inside the area was turned into a corner by Bonello, and from the ensuing corner, Graeme Torrilla’s header narrowly missed the post.
Five minutes into the second half, Luke Montebello saw his attempt cleared off the line by Bernardo Lopes, and from the rebound, Daniel Letherby was unfortunate to hit the crossbar.
As no goals were scored during extra-time, a penalty shoot-out was needed to decide the winner.
Ethan Britto netted the opening penalty for Lincoln Red Imps, while Emerson Marcelina brought Hamrun level. Nano and Luke Montebello both found the net; Tjay De Barr and Mayron added to the tally for Lincoln Red Imps and Hamrun Spartans respectively. Toni scored the fourth for the Gibraltar champions, and Joseph Mbong equalised for the Spartans. Rafael Munoz confidently scored for Lincoln Red Imps, whereas Steve Borg missed, sending the ball over the bar.
Lincoln Red Imps:Nauzet Santana, Ibrahim Ayew (97′ Toni), Bernardo Lopes, Lee Casciaro (14′ Graeme Torrilla)(106′ Mustapha Yahaya), Tjay De Barr, Ethan Britto, Nano, Joe, John Sergeant (112′ Julian Valarino), Daniel Bent, Victor Villacanas (70′ Rafael Munoz).
Ħamrun Spartans:Henry Bonello, Steve Borg, Talison (63′ Vitao), Joseph Mbong, Roko Prsa (104′ Mattias Ellul), Wendel Barros (106′ Mayron), Eder (79′ Daniel Letherby), Juan Corbolan (46′ Luke Montebello), Emerson Marcelina, Ryan Camenzuli, Raphael Lopes (79′ Shaisen Attard).
