Valletta will be facing Gzira United in the final of the Meridianbet FA Trophy after defeating Birkirkara 3-1 in the second semi-final at the National Stadium.
The two teams failedFollowing a quiet start, the match came to life towards the end of the first half with Valletta scoring two quick-fire goals to take a two-goal lead. The Citizens remained in control but a penalty for Birkirkara mid-way through the second half put them back in contention. However, Valletta sealed the issue with another goal deep in stoppage time.
After a quite disappointing thirty minutes during which the two goalkeepers were not tested, Leandro Lacunza had a powerful shot from outside the area blocked by Valletta goalkeeper Adilson Maringa on 31 minutes following a short clearance by a defender.
After going close with a Thaylor first time effort which was blocked by Birkirkara goalkeeper Miguel Angel Martinez on 39 minutes, Valletta took the lead a minute later when Brandon Paiber exchanged the ball with Yuri before delivering a cross from the right and Andrea Zammit headed home.
Just over a minute later, the Citizens doubled the score courtesy of Yuri Messias who received an assist by Yannick Yankam and pulled to a more central position, before beating the Birkirkara custodian with a shot from the edge of the area.
Martinez came to the rescue with a number of saves early in the second half on Zammit, Yuri, Yankam and Tavares but Birkirkara managed to pull one back on 70 minutes when they were awarded a penalty after FVS review as Jake Azzopardi was adjudged to have fouled Lucas Macula inside the area and substitute Jere Vrcic converted from the penalty spot.
However, six minutes in added time, Valletta sealed the issue with a third goal when following a good run on the right, Jackson Mendoza served Brandon Paiber who slotted past Martinez.