The match between Floriana FC and Hibernians ended in a hard-fought 1-1 draw at the National Stadium. Both teams displayed moments of brilliance, resulting in two spectacular goals. However, neither side secured a victory, ultimately settling for a point each.
The game commenced cautiously, with both teams testing each other in the initial stages. Hibernians came close to an early breakthrough in the second minute when Isaiah Chukunyere's header narrowly missed the target following a cross from the left. Floriana responded in the 16th minute with a low shot from distance by Matias Nicolas Garcia, which was comfortably dealt with by Hibernians goalkeeper Hugo Sacco.
Floriana's Carlo Zammit Lonardelli appeared to have scored in the 33rd minute with a close-range header, but the goal was disallowed for offside by the referee, Ishmael Barbara. Despite Floriana's control in the first half, dictating the pace, the match remained goalless at the break.
Floriana emerged with renewed energy and aggression in the second half, and their persistence paid off in the 50th minute when Franklin Sasere scored a stunning long-range strike, securing his third goal of the season. However, the dynamics of the game shifted when Floriana's defender, Oualid El Hasni, received a straight red card in the 59th minute, leaving Floriana with ten men for the remainder of the match.
With the numerical advantage, Hibernians intensified their attacking pressure and managed to equalize in the 81st minute when Alex Bruno scored from a corner.
Hibernians were also reduced to ten men in stoppage time after Higor Fernandes Alves received his second yellow card. Despite both teams battling hard for a winner, the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
Player of the Match: Franklin Sasere.
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