The Malta Cup semi-final between Valletta FC and Hamrun Spartans ended in a 1-1 draw on March 5, 2026, sending the tie to a penalty shootout to determine who would advance to the final. After a fiercely contested match, it was Hamrun Spartans who prevailed from the spot, keeping their cup dreams alive. Valletta took the lead in the first half with a cleverly worked free-kick, but Hamrun responded with relentless pressure after the break. Their equalizer came from a corner, a powerful header that gave the Valletta goalkeeper no chance. Both teams had chances to win the game in normal time, but the match remained level, leading directly to penalties. In the shootout, Hamrun's goalkeeper was the hero, making two crucial saves to secure a 4-2 victory for his team and set up a final against Birkirkara FC, while Valletta's quest for silverware ends in disappointment.