Floriana move nine points clear with key win over Marsaxlokk

MARSAXLOKK 1-3 FLORIANA
Dodo 7 (M); Varela 12, 53; Mbong 42 (F)

Floriana strengthened their grip at the top of the Closing Round Top Six with a crucial victory over Marsaxlokk.

The Greens now hold a commanding nine-point lead with three matches remaining, effectively securing their place in the post-season title showdown. Whether that will be a direct decider against Ħamrun Spartans or via a Final Four format remains to be seen.

For Marsaxlokk, the defeat leaves second place wide open, with the chasing pack now firmly back in contention.

Marsaxlokk made the perfect start when Dodo timed his run to beat the offside trap and calmly slotted past Giacomo Cioletti with a low finish.

Floriana responded swiftly, with Federico Varela finding the net just minutes later to restore parity.

The match remained lively, and Marsaxlokk nearly regained the lead when Dodo rose unmarked inside the box, only to see his header graze the post.

Despite limited clear-cut chances, the game maintained a high tempo, with both sides going end-to-end throughout the first half.

On 34 minutes, Floriana opted to use their Football Video Support (FVS) card following a challenge by Leandro Aguirre on Carlo Zammit Lonardelli, but referee Matthew DeGabriele waved away the penalty appeals.

Floriana completed the turnaround just before the break when Paul Mbong’s shot took a deflection, wrong-footing Christoffer Mafoumbi and finding the net.

The Greens carried their momentum into the second half, with Dunstan Vella seeing an early effort blocked by Enrico Pepe.

At the other end, Cioletti proved decisive with two outstanding saves. First parrying a long-range effort and then denying Aguirre from close range.

Marsaxlokk were made to pay for those missed chances as Varela struck again, firing low past Mafoumbi to make it 3-1 and give Floriana breathing space.

Both sides turned to their benches in the closing stages, with Floriana looking to manage the game and Marsaxlokk pushing to get back into it.

Varela nearly completed his hat-trick late on, but his curling effort was brilliantly saved by Mafoumbi.