Ħamrun Spartans Power Past Marsaxlokk 4-1 to Blow Maltese Title Race Wide Open 🇲🇹

Ħamrun Spartans handed league leaders Marsaxlokk FC their first defeat of the VBET Malta Premier season with a commanding 4-1 victory at the National Stadium on Friday night.

The result marks a third consecutive victory for the Spartans, throwing the top-flight race wide open—the top six teams in the league are now separated by a single point.

First-Half Drama: Early Opener and Equalizer

Ħamrun created early chances, with Damir Ceter narrowly missing a cross from Ognjen Bjelicic on 10 minutes.Marsaxlokk nearly struck back immediately through Nikolai Muscat, who hit the upright in the 13th minute.

The breakthrough came in the 16th minute:

• Ante Ćorić whipped in a dangerous free-kick from the left.
• The deflection fell to Ognjen Bjelicic, whose low drive squeezed past Christoffer Mafoumbi to give Ħamrun a 1-0 lead.

Just as Ħamrun looked set to carry their lead into the break, Marsaxlokk found an equalizer in stoppage time (45+2′). Leandro Aguirre delivered a corner that deflected off Ryan Camenzuli into Oualid El Hasni, who forced the ball home to make it 1-1.

Second-Half Domination: FVS Penalty and Three unanswered Goals

The second half was dominated by the Spartans, who stepped up the tempo and turned their pressure into goals:

1. 63′ – Penalty Awarded via Football Video Support (FVS): Following a challenge on Marcello Trotta by Enrico Pepe and Joseph Minala, Ħamrun called for a review using the FVS system. The referee awarded a penalty, which substitute Lucas Villela calmly converted.
2. 68′ – Camenzuli Finishes Quick Combination: Just five minutes later, Ryan Camenzuli played a neat one-two with Marcello Trotta before slotting the ball past Mafoumbi to double the lead.
3. 81′ – Trotta Wraps It Up: Marcello Trotta capped off a brilliant performance, receiving a pass from Matthew Guillaumier, rounding his defender, and beating the keeper to secure a emphatic 4-1 win.

Match Summary & Key Details

League Impact: Ħamrun Spartans join Valletta, Floriana, Birkirkara, and Mosta on 10 points, keeping the pressure on Marsaxlokk, who remain atop the standings on 11 points despite losing their unbeaten start to the campaign.