A dramatic ending decided the Malta FA Women\u2019s Jubilee Cup final as M\u0121arr United overturned a one-goal second-half deficit to clinch victory in stoppage time.<\/p>\n
The Greens had opened the scoring through Valeria Villegas, but Hibernians responded strongly after the break, turning the match on its head to make it 2-1.<\/p>\n
However, M\u0121arr struck twice late in the game as Hibernians collapsed defensively, sealing the Greens\u2019 second major trophy in the women\u2019s game.<\/p>\n
Both coaches – Martina Borg for Hibernians and Ryan Vella for M\u0121arr – fielded their strongest starting XIs.<\/p>\n
For the Paolites, captained by Nicole Sciberras, Uganda\u2019s Sylivia Kabene led the line, arriving with six league goals.<\/p>\n
M\u0121arr, captained by Abigail Camilleri, started French forward Josline N\u2019Guessan, their top scorer with seven goals.<\/p>\n
M\u0121arr threatened early on. Villegas saw one effort blocked by Maya Cachia for a corner, before her close-range header was denied by the Hibernians goalkeeper. Moments later, her sister Alejandra Villegas attempted a long-range strike that drifted wide.<\/p>\n
Kabene replied for Hibernians with a close-range effort that flew over the bar. As the half progressed, chances became scarce, though M\u0121arr continued to look dangerous in transition despite not testing Cachia further.<\/p>\n
It was the Greens who broke the deadlock when Villegas met a clever overhead kick cross from Yulya Carella, beating both Cachia and Cali Schechinger to the ball.<\/p>\n
M\u0121arr carried their 1-0 lead into halftime.<\/p>\n
Hibernians made a change at the break, introducing Kayleigh Chetcuti for Ileana Farrugia on the left flank.<\/p>\n
The Paolites\u2019 halftime team talk paid immediate dividends. Captain Sciberras levelled the match with a brilliant lob over goalkeeper Patricia Ebejer.<\/p>\n
Moments later, M\u0121arr nearly regained the lead through N\u2019Guessan, but her close-range effort was blocked by Cachia. At the other end, Zulu headed wide from close range.<\/p>\n
On 55 minutes, Kabene squandered a golden opportunity to put Hibernians ahead, sending her effort wide when clean through on goal.<\/p>\n
Villegas then went close again with a tight-angle shot that flashed just wide of Cachia\u2019s far post.<\/p>\n
Twenty minutes from time, M\u0121arr introduced Brenda Borg in place of N\u2019Guessan as they pushed for fresh energy in midfield.<\/p>\n
As the tempo slowed, clear chances dried up – until a moment of brilliance from Chetcuti, who fired a long-range shot to put Hibernians 2-1 ahead.<\/p>\n
But M\u0121arr responded immediately. Alejandra Villegas struck a low drive past Cachia to restore parity.<\/p>\n
Deep into stoppage time, M\u0121arr completed the turnaround. Valeria Villegas scored her second of the afternoon with another precise low finish, sealing a memorable comeback victory and the Jubilee Cup for her team.<\/p>\n
Hibernians<\/strong> M\u0121arr Referee: <\/strong>Jo-Anna Vassallo.<\/p>\n Source: MFA<\/p>\n Photo: MFA<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>M. Cachia; N. Geren, C. Schechinger, A. Galea (90 F. Bartolo), J. Dimech, C. Zulu, G. Mifsud, L. Ayres (62 S. Vella Barberi), N. Sciberras, S. Kabene (86 K. Chetcuti), I. Farrugia (46 K. Chetchuti).<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Ebejer; A. Camilleri, A. Villegas, M. Debono, Y. Carella, L. Cefai, V. Villegas, Y. Mendez, R. Bajada, J. N\u2019Guessan (70 B. Borg), A. Grech.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.mfa.com.mt\/media\/19479\/whatsapp-image-2025-12-08-at-151635_59c2c333.jpg\")
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