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.

The Paolites were the better team in the first half, creating several chances before taking a narrow lead through Falcone just before the break.

On the restart, Melita responded strongly, equalizing through Aldair Simanca’s towering header. Although Hibernians regained the lead moments later via Lucas Caruana, Melita fought back, with Marc Van De Font Bovenkamp heading in another equalizer.

However, in the dying moments of the match, Falcone struck again, heading home Giannis Bastianos’ cross to secure victory for Hibernians.

Melita made two changes from their previous match, with Jean Pierre Attard and Nick Cutajar stepping in for Kurt Bondin and the suspended Jesus Yepez. Hibernians welcomed Lucas Caruana, Dexter Xuereb, and Alex Bruno into the starting XI, while Pedro Henrique Nunes and Miullen were unavailable, and Bjorn Kristensen remained on the bench as he recovers from injury.

Hibernians set the tone early with several close chances. Jurgen Degabriele’s deflected shot narrowly missed the target, and Falcone’s overhead kick went over the bar. The Argentine forward came even closer when his shot struck the upright in the 17th minute.

The breakthrough came four minutes before halftime when Alex Bruno’s precise cross found Falcone, who slotted the ball into the net. Falcone almost doubled the lead minutes later but missed from close range off Bastianos’ cross.

Melita leveled just after the restart when Matthew Debattista’s corner was met by Simanca’s powerful header. Hibernians quickly responded as Degabriele set up Caruana, who calmly finished to make it 2-1.

Melita equalized again on 58 minutes when Van De Font Bovenkamp headed home from a free kick, setting the stage for a tense finale.

Despite both sides sharing chances, it was Falcone who proved decisive, scoring his second goal deep into stoppage time with a close-range header to hand Hibernians a dramatic win.

Hibernians, on the other hand, fell short after a strong start in previous matches, where they secured maximum points against Mosta and Birkirkara.

Hamrun’s assistant coach Alessandro Longo faced a challenging lineup decision due to the suspension of Elionay, Luke Montebello, and Raphael Lopes, in addition to injuries sidelining key players such as Emerson Marcelina, Roko Prsa, and Shaisen Attard. However, the Spartans welcomed back Joseph Mbong and Mayron, with Steve Borg making a rare start.

Hibernians coach Branko Nisevic made one key change, reinstating Bjorn Kristensen in place of Higor Gabriel.

Hibernians had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 13th minute when Steve Borg fouled Miullen in the penalty area. However, Jurgen Degabriele’s penalty was superbly turned into a corner by Hamrun goalkeeper Celio.

The Spartans capitalized on their next big chance in the 28th minute. Talison’s pinpoint corner from the left found Kean Scicluna, who rose above the defense to head the ball past Hugo Sacco, giving Hamrun the lead.

The first half ended on a sour note for both teams as Hamrun’s Juan Corbalan and Hibernians’ Pedro Henrique Nunes and Bjorn Kristensen were forced off due to injuries. Hibernians opted to play the remaining minutes of the half with ten men, preserving substitution options for the second period.

Both teams traded possession in the second half, but Hamrun proved more clinical. In the 75th minute, goalkeeper Celio launched a long ball to Talison, who outpaced the Hibernians defense and slotted a diagonal shot past Sacco.

A minute later, Joseph Mbong nearly added another with a powerful shot that was turned into a corner by Sacco. However, on the 79th minute, Mbong delivered a stunning overhead kick to seal the 3-0 victory.

The match ended on a contentious note as Miullen was sent off for Hibernians following a clash involving multiple players, leaving his side to finish with ten men.

Birkirkara’s third defeat of the season puts their position at the top of the table in jeopardy, with Floriana just three points behind. A win for Floriana over Sliema Wanderers on Tuesday would see them draw level with the leaders. Conversely, a Sliema victory would set up a dramatic final day, as three teams would then be in contention for the title.

Both sides entered the match missing key players due to suspensions. Hibernians were without captain Bjorn Kristensen and Giannis Bastianos, while Birkirkara had to contend with the absences of Alexander Satariano and Maxuell, the league’s top scorer with 10 goals this season.

The match, officiated by Trustin Farrugia Cann in his 200th game as a referee, began at a cautious pace as both teams prioritized defensive organization. The first major chance arrived after 20 minutes, when Federico Falcone’s volley from a tight angle was saved by Birkirkara goalkeeper Giacomo Volpe.

Moments later, Hibernians capitalized on a defensive lapse. Khevin Fraga rose unmarked to head home a corner delivered by Jurgen Degabriele, putting the home side ahead. Birkirkara struggled to respond, and the first half ended with Hibernians holding a deserved 1-0 lead.

After the break, Birkirkara introduced Agustin Sandona and Maicon for Neil Micallef and the already-booked Luis Cordova, in an effort to turn the tide. January signing Seth Paintsil, making his first start, was replaced by Paul Mbong shortly before the hour mark as Birkirkara sought to inject fresh energy into their attack.

The visitors began to pile on the pressure, with Hibernians goalkeeper Hugo Sacco producing several crucial saves to preserve the lead. Sacco denied a powerful volley from Ignacio Morello and a low strike from Shaun Dimech, while Sandona came close with a shot that narrowly missed the target.

Despite Birkirkara’s relentless push for an equalizer, Hibernians stood firm and sealed the win in stoppage time. Alex Bruno finished off a counterattack to double their advantage, ensuring the Paolites claimed a vital three points.

The result keeps Hibernians’ hopes of a top-three finish alive while adding intrigue to the title race. Birkirkara’s lead at the summit is now under threat, with Tuesday’s showdown between Floriana and Sliema Wanderers set to play a key role in determining the season’s outcome.

Nišević introduced Isaiah Ndubisi Chukunyere, Federico Falcone, and Giannis Bastianos to spearhead the attack, and the alterations paid dividends.

Mosta started the game brightly, with Giancarlo Gonçalves coming close to scoring early. His rising shot from the right flank rattled the crossbar, setting the tone for an eventful match.

Hibernians opened the scoring in the 26th minute with a superb team move involving four players. Bastianos combined with Falcone, who pulled the ball back for Khevin Fraga to assist Jurgen Degabriele. Degabriele finished with a delicate lob over Mosta goalkeeper Sean Mintoff.

The Paolites doubled their lead shortly after. Degabriele’s lofted pass found Falcone, who executed a stunning scissor-kick into the far corner. At 2-0, Hibernians appeared in full control, displaying flashes of brilliant football.

However, Mosta proved resilient, especially after manager Mario Muscat made impactful substitutions at halftime, introducing Prince Afriyie and Sunday Okereke. Their energy helped Mosta reduce the deficit in the 59th minute when Joao Teixeira headed Clayton Failla’s pinpoint corner into the net, unmarked at the far post.

Hibernians quickly restored their two-goal cushion in unusual fashion. Degabriele’s sliced shot ballooned high into the air, seemingly destined to land on the roof of the net. Instead, it hit the crossbar and crossed the goal line after Mintoff failed to handle it cleanly.

The game remained lively, with Mosta’s Stephen Chiemezie scoring a stunning goal after chesting the ball and unleashing a powerful strike past Nino Sanchez. Despite their defensive frailties, Hibernians managed to hold firm as Sanchez made crucial saves, including a late intervention to deny Souleymane Koné.

The victory reduced Hibernians’ gap to third-placed Sliema to just three points, signaling a renewed push for league honors.

Floriana wasted no time creating opportunities, with their first chance coming just over a minute into the game. A free-kick from Jake Grech found Zammit Lonardelli, whose shot narrowly missed the target. Minutes later, Zammit Lonardelli thought he had opened the scoring after latching onto Grech’s pass and finding the net, but the assistant referee flagged for offside.

Hibernians responded in the 13th minute when Ayrton Attard’s through ball to Miullen was intercepted by Floriana goalkeeper Christoffer Mafoumbi. Shortly after, Jurgen Degabriele had an opportunity to give Hibernians the lead but failed to connect cleanly with Miullen’s pass, allowing Floriana to clear.

Floriana had a second goal disallowed in the 21st minute when Zammit Lonardelli’s cross found Sasere, who finished with a first-time effort. However, the Nigerian striker was ruled offside.

The breakthrough came in the 33rd minute when Sacco collided with Sasere while attempting to intercept a cross. The referee awarded a penalty, and Sasere converted confidently for his eighth goal of the season. Hibernians nearly equalized immediately, but Degabriele fired over from a central position.

The second half began with Floriana coach Darren Abdilla forced to make substitutions as Thiaguinho and Sasere exited with injuries, replaced by Fernandinho and Kyrian Nwoko. Despite Hibernians’ increased efforts to get back into the game, it was Floriana who continued to create chances. Zammit Lonardelli came close to doubling the lead after the hour mark, but his low drive was well blocked by Mafoumbi.

Floriana sealed the win in the final minute when substitute Mattia Veselji was fouled by Sacco in the box. The Hibernians goalkeeper received a second yellow card and was sent off. With no substitutions remaining, Bjorn Kristensen stepped in as an emergency goalkeeper, but Jake Grech calmly converted the penalty to make it 2-0.

Floriana’s victory keeps them firmly in the title race, now just two points behind Birkirkara as the Opening Round nears its conclusion.

The Wanderers were the dominant side throughout the match, fully deserving the three points. The win keeps them just one point behind Floriana and three points away from league leaders Birkirkara.

Hibernians, meanwhile, remain in fourth place. Their performance was underwhelming, with a notable reaction only after conceding the second goal.

Sliema made two changes to the lineup that defeated Naxxar Lions, with Jonata and Adam Magri Overend coming in for Vito Plut and the injured Cain Attard. Hibernians’ coach Branko Nisevic introduced four changes, with Pablo Sanchez starting in goal instead of Hugo Sacco, while Kleiton, Bjorn Kristensen, and Alex Bruno replaced Ayrton Attard, Dexter Xuereb, and Federico Falcone.

The match began with Hibernians creating a chance in the opening minute, as Alex Bruno’s diagonal shot narrowly missed the target. However, Sliema responded immediately, taking the lead in the third minute when Jonata’s assist from the right set up Adam Magri Overend to score past Pablo Sanchez.

Hibernians attempted a quick reply, but Bruno’s effort in the 10th minute went over the bar. Sliema extended their lead in the 35th minute when Gustavo Alcino flicked the ball into the net following a headed pass from Magri Overend after a Steve Pisani corner.

In the second half, Sliema continued to press, with Jonata’s long-range shot saved by Sanchez in the 54th minute, followed by a close attempt from Myles Beerman moments later.

Hibernians managed to reduce the deficit on the hour mark when Alex Bruno converted a Jurgen Degabriele cross with a first-time strike, leaving goalkeeper Emeka Kelvin Agu helpless. However, Sliema quickly restored their two-goal advantage just three minutes later. Mohamed Awad, set up by Pisani, saw his initial shot blocked, but he made no mistake with the rebound, scoring to make it 3-1.

Sliema continued to threaten, with Sanchez denying Bastos in the 68th minute by rushing out to clear the danger. Hibernians came close to another goal late on, as Pedrao tested Agu with a header from a Lucas Caruana free-kick in the 84th minute, but it wasn’t enough to alter the result.

This commanding performance keeps Sliema in the hunt for the top spot, while Hibernians will need to regroup to improve their form.

Despite a rough start to the season with five consecutive losses, Marsaxlokk had clawed their way back to within reach of the Top Six. However, a single point in this final game wasn’t enough, as they ultimately finished in eighth place, with Ħamrun Spartans’ late 2-1 victory over Gżira United sealing their fate.

From the outset, Marsaxlokk showed signs of nerves. Federico Falcone, a constant threat for Hibernians, struck the post early on. Marsaxlokk’s goalkeeper, Marco Drobnjak, pulled off a remarkable save moments later to deny Jurgen Degabriele’s acrobatic attempt at the near post.

Marsaxlokk struck first, however, scoring against the run of play with their very first attack. In the 27th minute, a well-placed corner from Leandro Aguirre found Alex Gomes in the box. The Brazilian striker capitalized on a defensive mix-up, slotting the ball home to give Marsaxlokk the lead and raise hopes in the stands.

Knowing they were vulnerable if Ħamrun Spartans scored, Marsaxlokk pushed on, but Hibernians remained resolute. Just after the break, Giannis Bastianos unleashed a powerful shot that was blocked again by Drobnjak, Marsaxlokk’s hero in goal.

Then came devastating news: Gżira United had taken the lead against Ħamrun, threatening Marsaxlokk’s position. In response, Hibernians made a triple substitution as Branko Nisevic sought fresh momentum, bringing on Miullen Felicio Carvalho, Bjorn Kristensen, and Alex Bruno to turn up the pressure.

As Hibernians pressed forward, Falcone sent a header over the bar from Khevin Fraga’s cross in the 70th minute, a warning sign of things to come. With only nine minutes left, Falcone finally broke through, meeting Bruno Silva’s cross with a decisive header that sent Marsaxlokk’s fans into stunned silence.

Unable to find a second goal in the final minutes, Marsaxlokk were forced to settle for a draw, leaving their Top Six ambitions out of reach.

This win allowed the Paolites to leapfrog Sliema Wanderers, who now sit in fourth place, trailing by just one point. Meanwhile, Balzan remain tied for third from the bottom of the standings, having missed several promising chances at the Tony Bezzina Stadium. Despite dominating much of the first half and pressing well into the second, Balzan ultimately left the field empty-handed.

From the outset, Balzan showed strong intent. Early on, Jan Busuttil unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box, which Hibernians’ goalkeeper Hugo Sacco expertly turned away for a corner. Minutes later, Busuttil continued his efforts with a well-placed rebound that once again tested Sacco.

In another promising moment, Busuttil teamed up with Kamsoba in the 27th minute, only to have his effort blocked by Higor Gabriel. Later in the first half, Triston Caruana’s free-kick found Henri Stanic, whose angled shot was once again denied by Sacco.

Hibernians’ first serious threat came shortly after halftime when Bjorn Kristensen’s close-range attempt was saved by Balzan’s Danilo Golovic following a corner by Giannis Bastianos. Minutes later, Busuttil continued to test Sacco with a rising shot from outside the box, which was narrowly tipped over. Balzan came close yet again when Oluwatobiloba’s effort set up Triston Caruana for a powerful drive that went just over the bar.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 70th minute. After a cross from Kleiton on the left, Silas Hamanojda combined with Kristensen before sending in a ball from the right, which Miullen controlled and slotted past the Balzan keeper.

Hibernians’ momentum surged after the goal. Miullen nearly doubled the lead when he set up Isaiah Chukunyere, whose shot hit the post. Then, just before the final whistle, Chukunyere forced Golovic into a challenging save with a strong shot from inside the box, assisted by Kristensen.

Hibernians’ determination ultimately paid off, placing them in a promising position as they now share second place with Floriana.

Hibernians wasted no time in establishing dominance; within two minutes, Degabriele’s free-kick set up Kurt Shaw for a close-range header, opening the scoring. The hosts continued to press, with Alex Bruno and Degabriele in top form, while Melita struggled defensively. Although Melita had a chance to equalize when Aldair’s header forced a save from Pablo Sanchez, Degabriele doubled the lead shortly before halftime with a well-timed goal.

Maintaining their edge after the break, Hibs remained in control. Alex Bruno created an excellent chance for Alfred Silas, who narrowly missed, while Melita’s challenge grew harder as Aldair was sent off after two quick yellow cards. As the game wound down, substitute Carvalho missed a late opportunity, but Hibernians secured a comfortable win to climb to second place, trailing only league leaders Birkirkara.