Hamrun Spartans were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League by Lincoln Red Imps as although they defeated the Gibraltar champions 1-0 for a 1-1 aggregate score, the latter prevailed in the penalty shoot-out in the second leg of the first qualifying round at the Europa Point Stadium in Gibraltar on Tuesday.
The Spartans played almost the whole game against ten men and were clearly a better side during the first forty five minutes but Lincoln Red Imps improved in the second half and managed to keep their opponents under control until Hamrun scored with one minute to go. Hamrun went close to scoring a second goal but were denied by a clearance on the goal line and the woodwork. Then in the penalty shoot-out, Lincoln Red Imps scored five while Hamrun missed the decisive penalty by captain Steve Borg.
Lincoln Red Imps therefore set up a clash with Qarabağ FK of Azerbaijan in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League.
On the other hand, Hamrun Spartans will be facing FC Ballkani of Kosovo in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League after the champions of Kosovo suffered a shock 1-2 defeat at home to UE Santa Coloma of Andorra for the latter to force extra-time with the Andorra champions winning 6-5 on penalties.
With Elionay ruled out through suspension, Alessandro Zinnari named Eder in the starting line-up while Talison was preferred to Mayron as the Hamrun coach opted for a more offensive approach.
The hosts were reduced to ten men after just five minutes when Daniel Bent was sent off by referee following a violent tackle on Eder.
Hamrun went close to taking the lead on 13 minutes when Raphael Lopes’ powerful shot from outside the area was blocked by goalkeeper Santana and off the rebound, Joseph Mbong had a close range effort blocked once again by the Lincoln Red Imps goalkeeper.
The Spartans thought they had gone ahead on 23 minutes when off a cross from the right by Roko Prsa, Raphael Lopes slotted the ball past goalkeeper Santana; however, the goal was disallowed for an offside following VAR review.
But on 35 minutes, Henry Bonello came to the rescue as he turned into a corner a powerful drive by Victor Villacanas from outside the area.
Thirteen minutes in the second half, Roko Prsa missed an excellent opportunity hitting just wide from close range, off a Talison corner from the left and seven minutes from time, Joseph Mbong failed to connect from close range following an inviting cross by Wensel Barros.
Hamrun finally managed to break the deadlock one minute from time when off a cross by Emerson Marcelina from the left, Vitao managed to hit the ball home past Santana despite being surrounded by four Lincoln players.
In added time, Roko Prsa exchanged the ball with Mbong on the right and the Croatian midfielder’s effort was blocked by Lopes.
Therefore with the aggregate score being 1-1, the game went into extra-time.
Three minutes in the first half of extra-time, Daniel Letherby went close for the Spartans with a shot ending just over the bar but two minutes later, Ethan Britto had an attempt from inside the area turned into a corner by Bonello and from the resulting corner, Graeme Torrilla’s header scraped past the post.
Five minutes in the second half, Luke Montebello had an attempt cleared off the goal line by Bernardo Lopes and off the rebound, Daniel Letherby was unlucky to hit the crossbar.
With no goals being scored in extra-time, the penalty shoot-out had to determine the winner.
Ethan Britto scored the first penalty for Lincoln Red Imps and Emerson Marcelina equalised for Hamrun; Nano and Luke Montebello both converted; Tjay De Barr and Mayron scored for Lincoln Red Imps and Hamrun Spartans respectively; Toni scored the fourth for the champions of Gibraltar and Joseph Mbong levelled matters for the Spartans; Rafael Munoz made no mistake for Lincoln Red Imps and Steve Borg hit the ball sky high.
Source: Malta Football
