Marsaxlokk produced a superb attacking display to stun champions Floriana 5-2 and move to the top of the VBet Malta Premier standings.

Enzo Potenza’s side scored three times in the opening 37 minutes and remained firmly in control after the break, with Floriana’s problems compounded by the dismissal of substitute Yassine Jbira with 15 minutes remaining.

The victory was also a measure of revenge for Marsaxlokk following their defeat to Floriana in last May’s Finalissima and marked Potenza’s first win over the Greens since taking charge of the Southseasiders.

It proved an incident-packed encounter, featuring seven goals, two penalties – one converted and one saved – a red card and several decisions overturned following FVS reviews.

Floriana coach Daniel Portela was without the suspended Paul Mbong, who had been sent off in the BOV Super Cup, while Kenan Dervisagic was also unavailable. Robert Muric, Alen Kurtalic and Ange Curtis N’Dri were handed starting roles.

Marsaxlokk, meanwhile, opted for Weder Silva ahead of Juan Corbalan.

The Southseasiders took the lead after nine minutes when Dodo broke down the right and supplied Rasmus Linden, who beat Guilherme Cioletti. The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but the decision was overturned following an FVS review requested by Marsaxlokk.

Floriana had a golden opportunity to draw level after 21 minutes when Nikolai Muscat was adjudged to have handled inside the penalty area following another review.

However, Christoffer Mafoumbi denied Muric from the penalty spot, turning his effort behind for a corner.

The Greens did not have to wait long for the equaliser. From the resulting corner, Muric found Federico Varela, who controlled before beating Mafoumbi with an excellent rising shot from the right on 22 minutes.

Marsaxlokk regained the lead ten minutes later. Joseph Minala released Matias Garcia, who rounded Cioletti before slotting into the empty net.

Potenza’s side struck again on 37 minutes. Following a Weder Silva throw-in, Minala sent Ulises Arias clear. Cioletti rushed outside his area in an attempt to intervene, but the ball rebounded to Arias, who advanced before finishing into the unguarded goal.

Once again, the assistant referee had initially raised his flag for offside, but the goal was awarded following an FVS review.

Marsaxlokk continued to threaten after the interval, with Linden firing narrowly wide after being released by Dodo.

Their fourth goal arrived from the penalty spot on 58 minutes. Following another FVS review, Carlo Zammit Lonardelli was penalised for handling inside the area and Minala made no mistake from 12 yards.

Floriana responded almost immediately as Jbira crossed from the left for Zammit Lonardelli to finish from close range on 61 minutes, reducing the deficit to 4-2.

Any hopes of a Floriana comeback suffered a major blow on 75 minutes when Jbira was sent off for serious foul play following a challenge on Minala. The Floriana substitute had initially been shown a yellow card, but the decision was upgraded to a red following an FVS review requested by Marsaxlokk.

Marsaxlokk completed the scoring six minutes from time through substitute Semir Smajlagic. The former Ħamrun Spartans player intercepted Kauan’s throw intended for Kurtalic, raced clear down the right, rounded Cioletti and calmly finished to seal an emphatic 5-2 victory.

Floriana 2
Varela 22, Zammit Lonardelli 61

Marsaxlokk 5
Linden 9, Garcia 32, Arias 37, Minala 58 pen, Smajlagic 84

Floriana: G. Cioletti, M. Beerman (53’ D. Vella), A. Drina (57’ Kauan), F. Varela, R. Muric (46’ S. Odey), A. Kurtalic, G. Romano, O. Spiteri, C. Zammit Lonardelli, T. Gudelj (88’ D. Attard), A. N’Dri (53’ Y. Jbira).

Marsaxlokk: C. Mafoumbi, W. Silva, O. El Hasni, E. Pepe, N. Muscat (80’ L. Caruana), U. Arias (65’ D. Simkus), R. Linden (71’ S. Smajlagic), Dodo (71’ R. Mihana), M. Garcia (80’ T. Caruana), J. Minala, L. Aguirre.

Referee: Daniel Portelli.

Yellow cards: A. Drina (Floriana), J. Minala (Marsaxlokk), D. Vella (Floriana).

Red card: Y. Jbira (Floriana), 75’.