TA’QALI, Malta (Interstat) — Maxuell scored three goals Sunday to lead Gzira United to a 3-0 win over Marsaxlokk in a Maltese Premier League match at MFA Centenary Stadium.

The forward opened the scoring in the 16th minute, added a second in the 30th and completed his hat trick in the 71st. The victory defied pre-match projections that favored the visitors.

The result improved Gzira United’s league record to six wins, five losses and four draws. Marsaxlokk, which had won the previous meeting between the clubs 2-0 in September, fell to nine wins, seven losses and three draws in league play.