Z. Frelih; P. Nwadike, K. Kostrna, F. Twardzik, L. Holik (46 M. Tomic), R. Prochazka, G. Moistsrapishvili (46 M. Kratochvil), M. Mikovic, P. Azango (65 H. Gong), M. Duris (85 M. Daniel), S. Skrbo (65 T. Kudlicka).
HIBERNIANS
L. Branescu; Pedrao, M. Ellul, Charleston (45 A. Zammit), Pablo (71 D. Bonnici), P. Cacho (63 L. Caruana), B. Kristensen (71 A. Attard), A. Bruno, D. Xuereb (64 J. Degabriele), L. Villela, Miullen.
Missed penalties: Kristensen (H) 16; Duris (S) 30.
Hibernians bowed out of the UEFA Conference League following a heavy 5-1 defeat to Slovakia’s Spartak Trnava, who progressed 7-2 on aggregate.
The hosts wasted no time imposing their superiority, launching an early assault that effectively wrapped up the tie.
Spartak Trnava controlled proceedings from the outset, leaving the Maltese side struggling to keep pace.
Hibernians coach Branko Nisevic opted for several changes, including Brazilian defender Charleston replacing Aiden Zammit, while Alex Bruno started ahead of Jurgen Degabriele in attack.
These adjustments meant that Hibernians’ starting line-up featured seven Brazilians, with only three Maltese players, including Dexter Xuereb, who was deployed as right wing-back in place of Alfred Silas.
Lining up in a 3-5-2 formation, Hibernians shifted to a 5-4-1 setup when out of possession, aiming to contain Spartak’s threat.
However, it took the Slovakian side just four minutes to break the deadlock. Libor Holik curled a fine effort past Laurentiu Branescu to make it 3-1 on aggregate and put Spartak firmly in control.
Ten minutes later, Spartak doubled their lead. Stefan Skrbo capitalised on a delivery from the right flank to tap into an empty net, pushing the hosts further ahead.
Moments later, Hibernians had a lifeline when Miullen was brought down in the box. Captain Bjorn Kristensen stepped up but saw his penalty saved by the Spartak goalkeeper.
Spartak continued to press for more goals.
Branescu was called into action to deny Roman Prochazka and Philip Azango.
Michal Duris then struck the woodwork with a close-range effort before Spartak were awarded a penalty. Duris, however, failed to convert, hitting the crossbar.
Despite the pressure, Hibernians managed to pull one back before the break. Miullen produced a low strike that beat the Spartak goalkeeper, briefly reducing the deficit and offering a glimmer of hope. However, they were dealt a blow when Charleston was forced off due to injury, replaced by Aiden Zammit.
Early in the second half, Pedrao came close to equalising, heading just wide from a Xuereb corner.
Spartak, though, restored their two-goal lead when substitute Michal Tomic fired a curling shot into the net from close range.
Things went from bad to worse for Hibernians as Pedrao accidentally headed into his own net, gifting Spartak their fourth goal of the night.
The Slovakian side continued to dominate and added a fifth through Azango, whose near-post strike beat Branescu to cap off a commanding performance.
