Newly-crowned league champions Swieqi United saw their domestic treble hopes come to an abrupt end after being eliminated from the Women’s Knock-Out by Hibernians in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.

The Paolites edged past Swieqi 4-3 on penalties following a goalless stalemate after regular time and extra time, booking their spot in the semi-finals.

They were captained by Martina Borg, a day after announcing her retirement from football at the end of the 2024/2025 season.

Hibernians will now face San Ġwann, who cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win over Valletta. Goals from Nanako Kobayashi, Hailey Russell, and Naila Addo secured San Ġwann’s progression.

This match marked the end of an era for Valletta’s Monique Sultana, who played the final game of her career. With nearly 300 domestic appearances to her name, Monique has represented several clubs throughout her journey — including Pembroke Athleta, Raiders Luxol, Raiders Għargħur, Raiders Lija, and most recently, Valletta.

In another upset, defending champions Birkirkara were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Mġarr United. The Stripes had taken the lead through Luana Cabral – a former Mġarr player – but a stunning hat-trick from Valeria Villegas saw Mġarr come from behind to win 3-1. This result means Birkirkara will finish the season without any silverware, just a year after sweeping all domestic trophies.

Mġarr will now face Lija Athletic in the semi-finals, after Lija claimed a 4-2 victory over Mtarfa. Lisa Calleja, Estefany Gonzalez, and a brace from Leanne Micallef were on target for Lija, while Mtarfa replied through Kerrie Ciappara and Laura Tobon.

HIBERNIANS 0-0 SWIEQI UNITED
(Hibernians won 4-3 on penalties)

Hibernians: E. Harrington; N. Geren. A. Galea, K. Chetcuti, M. Borg, Y. Attard (S. Vella Barberi 71′), N. Sciberras, G. Mifsud (L. Ayres 88′), I. Farrugia (C. Ellul 116′), A. Espitia, J. Alves.
Coach: Kenneth Costantino.

Swieqi United: P. Araujo; E. Micallef, S. Urpani, E. Xuereb (118′ T. Scicluna), S. Abdulai, K. Abdulai, S. Zammit, Rafanny, J. Schembri), J. Scehmrbi (M. Conti 65′), T. Falzon. M. Cachia.
Coach: Dorianne Theuma.

Referee: Luca Grech.

BIRKIRKARA 1-3 MĠARR UNITED
Luana Cabral 61′ (B); Valeria Villegas 78′ 86′ 90’+6′ (M)

Birkirkara: J. Xuereb; G. Zahra, L. Azzopardi, L. Carvajal (S. Francalanza 66′), L. Cabral (I. Camilleri 89′), A. Cassar, V. Rapa, C. Zammit, C. Chechinger, M. Cardona, E. Bispo.
Coach: Vince Galea.

Mġarr United: G. D’Antuono; A. Said, A. Camilleri, Y. Carella (M. Debono 67′), L. Cefai, V. Villegas, Y. Mendez, M. Hernandez, R. Bajada, A. Villegas, A. Grech.
Coach: Ryan Vella.

Referee: Luca Formosa.

SAN ĠWANN 3-0 VALLETTA
Nanako Kobayashi 24′, Hailey Russell 36′, Naila Addo 47′

San Ġwann: J. Caruana; A. Rapa (T. Muscat 64′), N. Kobayashi, M. Schembri (K. Paris 73′), H. Russell (N. Attard 77′), S. Gheiti (Y. Attard 73′), N. Blundell, F. Al Girbi (K. Abela 77′), J. Falzon, N. Addo, M. Kasim.
Coach: Julian Camilleri.

Valletta: K. Vella Barberi (M. Galea 77′); A. Aloisio, M. Sultana, R. Zerafa, S. Farrugia Sacco, G. Antonelli, E. Micallef, L. Vella, S. Fenech (Lu Lilou 46′), Li. Lucas, S. Bonello Ghio (L. Muscat 46′).
Coach: Jean Lopes.

Referee: Jo-Anna Vassallo.

LIJA ATHLETIC 4-2 MTARFA
Lisa Calleja 17′, Estefany Gonzalez 56′, Leanne Micallef 64′ 75′ (L); Kerrie Ciapapra 22′, Laura Tobon 86′ (M)

Lija Athletic: I. Sanchez (J. Zarb 80′); L. Cassar, I. Sultana (K. Pantalleresco 57′), S. Bugeja, E. Marmara, E. Gonzalez, N. Zarb Cousin (M. Ibrahim 67′), R. Mifsud (C. Deguara 76′), L. Micallef, L. Gonzalez, L. Calleja.
Coach: Jethron Azzopardi.

Mtarfa: D. Grech; C. Versteeegh, L. Tobon, E. Csik, A. Fenech, E. Borg, M. Abdilla (S. Bertona 76′), K. Ciappara (F. Degiorgio 76′), S. Spiteri, P. Ciappara, R. Zammit.
Coach: Simon Spiteri.

Referee: Stefania Bonnici.