TA’ QALI, Malta (Interstat) — Birzebbuga defeated visiting Marsaxlokk FC 2-0 at MFA Centenary Stadium on Wednesday, using second-half goals from Alex Bruno and Gabriel Costa to secure the result. Marsaxlokk finished the match without a goal. Birzebbuga, the home side, scored once in the opening minutes of the second half and added another goal in the 70th minute. The match remained scoreless through the first half, and Birzebbuga held its advantage over the closing stages.

Alex Bruno put Birzebbuga ahead in the 48th minute. The goal came early in the second half and gave the home team the first lead of the match. Bruno was on the field for the full 90 minutes and finished with one goal. Birzebbuga doubled its advantage in the 70th minute when Costa Goncalves G. scored. Gabriel Costa, listed in the key performances as the Birzebbuga player with 79 minutes, one goal and a yellow card, was the scorer in the match report under the name Costa Goncalves G. Marsaxlokk was unable to cut into the deficit after either goal, and the visiting side finished without a score.

Costa Goncalves G. was shown a yellow card in the 64th minute. Marsaxlokk’s Muscat N. was booked in the 65th, and Caruana T. received a yellow card in the 90th minute plus two minutes of stoppage time. The bookings gave Birzebbuga one yellow card and Marsaxlokk two. The cards came after Birzebbuga had taken the lead and as Marsaxlokk continued to trail. No other yellow cards were listed.

Marsaxlokk made a substitution involving Dodo in the 62nd minute. The visiting side then made substitutions involving Muscat N. and Minala J. in the 69th minute and Garcia M. in the 80th. Birzebbuga made substitutions involving Azzopardi M. in the 71st, Costa Goncalves G. in the 79th and Bondin K. in the 86th. The changes came during the second half as both teams adjusted their lineups. Marsaxlokk’s substitutions followed the opening goal, while Birzebbuga’s changes began after it had built its two-goal lead. No further substitutions were listed after the 86th minute.

Earlier in the season, Marsaxlokk’s results included wins against Birkirkara and Zabbar, a draw with Mosta and Balzan, and losses to Hamrun and Floriana. Marsaxlokk also beat Valletta and Hibernians. Birzebbuga’s earlier results included a draw with Mosta and losses to Hibernians, Valletta, Hamrun, Balzan, Sliema, Zabbar and Floriana. Those earlier matches were part of both teams’ records before the game.

The result left Marsaxlokk FC with a season record in this competition of 5 wins, 3 losses and 2 draws. Its record across all competitions is also 5 wins, 3 losses and 2 draws. Birzebbuga’s competition record is now 1 win, 7 losses and 1 draw, matching its record across all competitions. Marsaxlokk entered the match as the visiting team and remained scoreless over 90 minutes plus stoppage time. Birzebbuga collected its first win of the competition and improved its overall mark. The home side’s two goals came in the second half and gave Birzebbuga the victory. The records reflected the result at the final whistle.

Marsaxlokk is next scheduled to face Sliema twice and Gzira. Birzebbuga is set to visit Gzira and then Birkirkara. Both teams will return to Premier League play. The match at MFA Centenary Stadium was completed without any further scoring after the 70th minute. Marsaxlokk did not score in the match.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Birzebbuga 1, Marsaxlokk FC 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Marsaxlokk FC with an 89 percent probability to win. Marsaxlokk FC had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -1. The total score of 2 went over the over-under line of 2.75.