YoHealth Malta Premier – Opening Round 2025/26
HIBERNIANS……..5
GŻIRA U…………….3
The final game of Matchday 1 in the YoHealth Malta Premier was arguably the most exciting of all six, as Hibernians and Gżira United produced an eight-goal thriller. Hibernians eventually won 5-3, despite trailing 3-1 until the 56th minute.
Hibernians took the lead in the 32nd minute when Lucas Villela delivered a perfect cross from the right and Jurgen Degabriele tapped it in to score the first goal of the season for the Paolites.
Just seconds before the end of the first half, Gżira equalised. Jork Becerra intercepted a poor pass by Joao Teixeira and passed to Samurai, who played a short ball to Johan Bonilla who scored with a low shot from inside the box.
Four minutes into the second half, Gżira went ahead. A free kick from the right by Failla led to two blocked shots by Bonilla and Kante, but Bonilla pounced on the rebound and fired a powerful shot into the top corner, his second of the match.
Gżira extended their lead in the 56th minute in a chaotic moment where two Hibernians players collided. Failla’s cross caused confusion, and although Teixeira saved the first effort from Fabricio Kante, the second found the back of the net.
Hibernians didn’t give up and in the 63rd minute, Gżira’s defence headed the ball clear, but Pedro Augusto struck a brilliant first-time shot from outside the box to pull one back.
Two minutes later, Hibernians drew level. Alfred Silas sent in a cross from the right, Gżira failed to clear it, and Lucas Villela took full advantage to score from close range.
Five minutes from time, Hibernians completed their comeback. A long ball from Villela found Miullen, who broke away and slotted the ball low into the net.
One minute before full-time, Villela sealed the win. He capitalised on a defensive error, slipped between two defenders, and scored his second goal of the match from close range.
