Yuri Messias was the hero for Valletta as he scored twice in a 3-1 win over Sliema Wanderers in the final of the Malta FA Jubilee Cup at the National Stadium on Monday.
The Citizens therefore managed to win the first major honour for season 2025/26 after winning promotion from the BOV Challenge League at the end of last season.
It was a deserved win for Thane Micallef’s side as they created the better chances throughout the ninety minutes.
Roko Prsa tested Adilson Maringa with a shot from outside the area which was saved by the Brazilian goalkeeper on 13 minutes but Valletta replied with an angled shot by Andrea Zammit from the left which was parried in two attempts by Rashed Al Tumi.
Valleta managed to take the lead on the half hour when Steve Borg concluded a gret run on the left flank with an assist for Yuri Messias who rounded a defender before slotting the ball past Al Tumi.
Six minutes in the second half, Sulahmana Bah had a diagonal shot from the left ending just wide and a minute later, Yuri Messias, served by Brewer, went close with another diagonal shot which scraped past the post. On 56 minutes, Andrea Zammit concluded a fine run on the left flank by providing Messias with an inviting pass but the Brazilian just missed the target.
Roko Prsa had a powerful shot from outside the area neutralised by Adilson Maringa on 66 minutes and two minutes later, Al Tumi lost possession when pressed by Yuri Messias but the ball finally ended at the feet of Shaft Brewer whose conclusion from the edge of the area was blocked by a defender.
Valletta doubled the score on 77 minutes when they were awarded a penalty after Bah brought Sava Radic down inside the area and Yuri Messias converted.
Seven minutes from time, Brandon Paiber made it 3-0 with a great direct free kick which gave the Sliema custodian no chance.
However, three minutes later, Fernandinho pulled one back for Sliema when he concluded a solo effort on the right by pulling to a more central position before beating the Valletta goalkeeper with a shot from the edge of the area.
SLIEMA Rashed Al Tumi, Jean Borg, Neil Frendo (60’ Kyrian Nwoko), Adam Magri Overend, Vito Plut (60’ Fernandinho), Myles Beerman, Roko Prsa, Sulahmana Bah (78’ Wescley), Murilo Freire, Steve Pisani (78’ Luke Montebello), Miguel Baggio.
VALLETTA Adilson Maringa, Steve Borg, Zachary Cassar, Andrea Zammit (86’ Keyon Ewurum), Brandon Paiber (90+1’ Rowen Muscat), Jake Azzopardi, Yannick Yankam, Shaft Brewer, Emmanuel Mbende, Yuri Messias (90+4’ Jackson Mendoza), Sava Radic.
Referee: Ishmael Barbara
Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, Duncan Sultana
Fourth Official: Slobodan Petrovic
Attendance: 4563