Hibernians secured their spot in the Round of 16 of the Meridianbet FA Trophy with a 3-0 victory over Challenge League side Zebbug Rangers. Despite the scoreline, Zebbug managed to hold their opponents in check for much of the first half before the Paolites broke through just before the interval and added two more goals in the second half. The win sets up a clash for Hibernians against Qala Saints in the next round.
The opening half saw few chances, with both teams struggling to create clear opportunities. Hibernians had early pressure through Khevin Fraga, whose two attempts within the first five minutes were deflected into corners. Zebbug responded in the 21st minute when Salem Adeyemi unleashed a shot from the edge of the area, but Hibs goalkeeper Hugo Sacco was equal to the effort.
Zebbug’s Camilo Diaz forced another save from Sacco with a well-taken free kick in the 39th minute, but Hibernians broke the deadlock two minutes later. Lucas Villa set up Miullen on the left, and the latter fired a precise diagonal shot past Zebbug goalkeeper Jamie Azzopardi to give the Paolites the lead heading into the break.
In the second half, Hibernians began to take control. Ten minutes after the restart, Azzopardi produced a fine save to deny Federico Falcone’s header from a Hamanojda cross. However, in the 58th minute, Hibernians doubled their lead when Jurgen Degabriele delivered a corner from the right, and Fraga’s header slipped through Azzopardi’s hands and into the net.
Zebbug attempted to respond, with Adeyemi testing Sacco again with an angled shot on the hour mark, but the Hibs goalkeeper remained solid. The result was put beyond doubt in the 76th minute when Alex Bruno stylishly flicked home an inviting cross from the left to make it 3-0.
Zebbug nearly grabbed a late consolation three minutes from time, but Sacco produced a crucial save to deny Duven Mosquera’s close-range effort from a Diaz cross.
Hibernians’ disciplined performance and clinical finishing ensured their progress to the next round as they look forward to their encounter with Qala Saints.