Watch: Valletta knock out Ħamrun Spartans to reach Jubilee Cup semi-finals

Valletta scored a goal in each half to knock out Malta champions Ħamrun Spartans from the MFA Jubilee Cup after a 2-0 win.

It was a fine performance from the Citizens who avenged last week’s 1-0 defeat to the same Spartans in the league and remained on course to secure the prestigious one-off competition.

Valletta looked the better side throughout the first 45 minutes as their intensity and work rate were not letting the Spartans settle down.

The Citizens took the lead on 19 minutes in spectacular circumstances.

Yuri Messias stole possession at the half pitch and, seeing Ħamrun goalkeeper Henry Bonello out of goal and quickly hit a fine lob that flew into he net to the delight of the City fans.

Ħamrun looked rattled, and four minutes later, they were handed a chance to fight back when they stole possession just outside the Valletta area and Semar Smajlagic, instead of passing to the unmarked Merlin Hadzi, he attempted a shot that went high and wide.

On 27 minutes, Hadzi hit a thumping drive from the edge of the area that Valletta goalkeeper Adilson did well to block.

On the stroke of half-time, Ħamrun Spartans were initially awarded a penalty when Joseph Mbong’s shot was adjudged to have been blocked by Steve Borg’s arm.

But Valletta turned to the Football Video Support, who ruled that there was no infringement.

Valletta thought they doubled their lead on 59 minutes when in a quick transition, Andrea Zammit was played in space and his low cross finished into the path of Messias, who fired home.

But the ‘goal’ was annulled for an offside position of Zammit.

Ħamrun started to press more forward and on 70 minutes, Ħamrun protested for a penalty when Shaisen Attard fell under the challenge of goalkeeper Maringa, but the referee waved play on. Ħamrun went for the Football Video Support, but referee Fyodor Zammit stuck to his decision.

Ten minutes from time, Ħamrun missed a huge chance to equalise when Ryan Camenzuli’s deflected shot was not turned home by Joseph Mbong from a couple of metres out.

Valletta killed off the match on 87 minutes Aldama raced clear on the right and squared the ball to substitute Keyon Ewurum, who stabbed the ball into an empty net

In stoppage time, Ħamrun ended the match with ten men when Vincenzo Polito was shown a straight red card for bringing down the goalbound Jackson Mendoza to cap a miserable day for the Malta champions.