Malta Premier 2025/26 – Closing Round MD32
Marsaxlokk…………..3
Naxxar Lions…………2
Marsaxlokk kept their championship hopes alive with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Naxxar Lions, a result which secured their place in the Championship Final Four.
Naxxar made a lively start and almost went ahead in the third minute when Neil Pace Cocks delivered a corner into the area, and Bugeja arrived with a first-time effort that struck the upright.
In the eighth minute, Marsaxlokk thought they had opened the scoring through a powerful Simkus strike from outside the area, but the goal was disallowed following an FVS review for a foul on Bugeja.
Marsaxlokk responded in the 12th minute through Soares, whose effort from the side of the box went narrowly wide.
The breakthrough came in the 27th minute when Soares crossed from the left and picked out James Kirby, who finished from close range to put Marsaxlokk ahead.
Naxxar hit back two minutes before the interval. Souza Dos Santos punished a misplaced Marsaxlokk pass, skipped past a defender and placed a composed finish into the corner.
Marsaxlokk restored their lead on the stroke of half-time when Nikolai Muscat’s shot was saved by Azzopardi, with Kirby reacting quickest to score into an empty net.
Marsaxlokk threatened again in the 52nd minute when Soares found himself in front of goal, but Azzopardi produced a good save.
In the 67th minute, Marsaxlokk gave themselves breathing space as Nikolai Muscat struck a fine free kick to make it 3-1.
Naxxar looked for a way back and, in the 80th minute, Aguirre’s cross from the left found Soares unmarked, but his header went over.
Gabriel Costa pulled one back for Naxxar one minute from time, but Marsaxlokk held on to secure a vital victory and extend their fight for the title into the Final Four.
Player of the Match – James Kirby
Referee – Philip Farrugia
