YoHealth Malta Premier 2025/26 – Top 6 – MD32
Gżira United…..0
Floriana………..1
It was an emotional night at the Tony Bezzina Stadium as Clayton Failla brought the curtain down on his Premier League career, with Gżira United and Floriana players forming a guard of honour as he left the pitch to a deserved ovation.
Floriana won the match 1-0, sealing the Closing Round title, but the night also belonged to Failla, a true servant of Maltese football whose career has left a lasting mark on the domestic game.
Floriana made the decisive breakthrough after six minutes when Jah reacted from close range and beat Colombo to put the Greens ahead.
In the 10th minute, Jah delivered a low cross from the right, but M’Mombwa was anticipated by Colombo, who cleared the danger.
Floriana were forced into a change in the 37th minute when goalscorer Jah picked up an injury and was replaced by Dervisagic.
A minute later, Varela went close with a fine effort from distance on the left, with the ball finishing just over the bar.
Gżira created their first clear opening in the 42nd minute when Riascos struck powerfully from the right side of the area. Picon parried the ball, which eventually fell to Brooklyn Borg, but his close-range effort went well over.
In the 43rd minute, Varela tried to curl a ball towards goal from the left, but it drifted narrowly wide. In added time, Xuereb tried his luck from distance, but Picon was alert and saved.
At the start of the second half, Gżira coach Darren Abdilla introduced Silva Virgens in place of Xuereb, while Floriana made a double change, with Spiteri and Kurtalic replacing Abreu Lara and Scerri.
In the 55th minute, Gżira threatened from a cross on the left, but Maia arrived slightly late and failed to connect.
Floriana made another change two minutes later, with Vella replacing Grech.
In the 58th minute, Mbong carried the ball down the right and found M’Mombwa, whose first-time shot was saved by Colombo.
Floriana’s Gamarra was booked on the hour mark for a foul on Silva Virgens. From the resulting free kick on the right, Abela received the ball and struck the upright.
In the 67th minute, Abela again tested Picon with a strong effort, but the Floriana goalkeeper rose well to turn the ball away.
Gżira made their second change a minute later as Martinez Perlaza replaced Brooklyn Borg.
In the 72nd minute, Maia lifted the ball over Picon and found the net, but the goal was ruled out after the assistant referee flagged for offside.
Gżira continued to push and, in the 76th minute, Silva Virgens drove into the area before being stopped at the last moment by Mendonca.
Floriana made their final change in the 78th minute, with Coelho Teixeira replacing M’Mombwa.
Then came the night’s most emotional moment. In the 80th minute, Clayton Failla, playing the final Premier League match of his career, was substituted and replaced by Van De Bovenkamp. Players from both teams formed a guard of honour, offering him a fitting tribute as he left the pitch.
Gżira made a double substitution in the 85th minute, with Farrugia and Cassar replacing Riascos and Penha da Costa.
Floriana held on for a narrow win, but beyond the result, the evening will be remembered as Failla’s farewell to the Premier League after a remarkable career in Maltese football.
Referee – Vladimir Rizoski
