Watch: Controversial stoppage-time penalty condemns Ħamrun Spartans, Marsaxlokk bow out

ĦAMRUN SPARTANS 1-2 NSI RUNAVIK (aggregate: 2-3).
Coric 53 (Ħ); Przybylski 43, Knudsen 94 pen. (N)

PYUNIK 1-0 MARSAXLOKK (aggregate: 4-0)
Kulikov 80 pen.

The Spartans’ hopes of reaching the UEFA Conference League group stages for a second successive season were shattered in dramatic and controversial fashion after conceding a stoppage-time penalty that sent Faroese side NSÍ Runavík through.

The visitors, who are currently leading the Faroese Premier League midway through their domestic campaign, arguably held a physical edge over the Maltese champions, yet Ħamrun matched them throughout an evenly contested encounter.

The Spartans started brightly and threatened twice through Damir Ceter. The Colombian striker first directed a close-range header straight at the goalkeeper before another towering effort was turned behind for a corner.

However, NSÍ gradually settled into the match and broke the deadlock through Michal Przybylski, whose powerful strike from outside the area beat Célio at his far post.

Coach Stefano Sanderra reacted at the interval by introducing Éder and Lucas Villela, with the substitutions immediately injecting greater energy into midfield and more attacking presence up front.

The changes paid dividends early in the second half when Ante Ćorić produced a superb volley from the edge of the area that flew into the net, sparking wild celebrations among the home supporters.

Galvanised by the equaliser, Ħamrun pushed for the winner. Villela went close after breaking into the area, while Célio denied the visitors with an excellent save from a dangerous free-kick. Ćorić then narrowly missed the target with a long-range effort before Matthew Guillaumier fired over, and Célio was again called into action to keep the Faroese side at bay.

With extra time looming, the tie took an extraordinary turn.

NSÍ forward Tobias Hestad chased a loose ball near the byline and managed to send it back into the penalty area. Television replays appeared to indicate that the ball had already crossed the goal line before Hestad reached it, but neither Luxembourg referee Jeremy Muller nor his assistant deemed it out of play.

Believing a goal kick had been awarded, Ħamrun captain Emerson Marcelina picked up the ball inside the area to place it for the restart. Instead, the officials awarded NSÍ a penalty for deliberate handball.

Peter Knudsen converted from the spot to send the Faroese side through, leaving Marcelina in tears as he requested to be substituted to a standing ovation from the Ħamrun supporters.

At the final whistle, furious Ħamrun players surrounded the match officials, while supporters voiced their anger from the stands as the refereeing team was escorted from the pitch by police officers.

Meanwhile, Marsaxlokk’s European adventure also came to an end despite producing a spirited performance in Armenia, where they played almost the entire match with 10 men before eventually losing 1-0 to Pyunik.

Already trailing 3-0 from the first leg, the Maltese side’s task became significantly harder after just nine minutes when goalkeeper Christoffer Mafoumbi was sent off for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity.

His dismissal forced Andrea Cassar into action for his first competitive appearance of the 2026/2027 season.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Marsaxlokk defended resolutely throughout the opening half-hour as Pyunik dominated possession without finding a breakthrough. The visitors even threatened on the counter, with Juan Corbalan forcing the Armenian goalkeeper into a save after good work by Dodo.

Pyunik continued to press after the restart, but Marsaxlokk refused to surrender. Redon Mihana almost caught the hosts out on the counterattack, his effort being diverted behind for a corner as the Maltese side continued to frustrate their opponents.

The resistance finally ended when Pyunik were awarded a penalty, which Daniil Kulkov converted to seal victory and complete a 4-0 aggregate success.