Hibernians secured their second consecutive victory with a 4-1 comeback win over ten-man Gzira United, moving level at the top of the standings with Marsaxlokk and Birkirkara, though the former still have a game in hand. Gzira, meanwhile, suffered their second defeat of the season, leaving them joint-third from the bottom with five points.
The match was evenly contested for much of the first half, but the dismissal of Luis Riascos shortly before the break shifted the momentum in Hibernians’ favor. Gzira coach Giovanni Tedesco was without several key players, including the suspended Kurt Zammit, Nikola Disic, and Kevin Tulimieri, as well as the injured Gabriel Bohrer Mentz and Enrico Pepe. Cain Formosa was chosen ahead of Giulio Mangano in goal, while Joseph Minala, Diogo Barbosa, and Brooklyn Borg were handed starting roles. Hibernians made one change from their previous league match, with Pedro Henrique Silva replacing Dexter Xuereb in the lineup.
Gzira started brightly, with Minala heading wide from a Stefan Denic corner after eight minutes. Soon after, Hibernians came close when Jurgen Degabriele struck the post from inside the area. Midway through the first half, Kurt Shaw played in Villela, who set up Degabriele, but he failed to make proper contact. Moments later, a free kick from Thiaguinho curled just wide, and a goal-bound effort by Villela was deflected for a corner.
Gzira were reduced to ten men in the 37th minute when Riascos received a straight red card for striking Apostolos Martinis. Despite being a man down, they took the lead just before halftime when Brooklyn Borg was fouled in the box by Pedro Henrique Silva. Faysal Chouaib stepped up and converted the penalty to put the Maroons ahead.
Hibernians responded quickly after the break, equalizing within five minutes when Khevin Fraga’s low shot from distance slipped through Formosa’s grasp and rolled into the net. Three minutes later, they went ahead as Villela finished off a Degabriele assist with a precise angled shot.
Formosa redeemed himself with a fine save on a Martinis effort from the edge of the area, but Hibernians extended their lead in the 71st minute. Degabriele swung in a corner, and Bjorn Kristensen rose to head the ball past Formosa.
The Paolites put the result beyond doubt in the 78th minute. Another Degabriele corner caused problems in the Gzira defense, leading to a blocked attempt by Kevin Fraga before Rui Bruno slotted home from close range, sealing a commanding 4-1 victory.