Valletta broke little sweat in overcoming the challenge of Pembroke Athleta as they raced to a 5-1 win at the National Stadium.

Federico Falcone, back in the Valletta line-up after recovering from injury, made his presence felt when on seven minutes he controlled the ball inside the area and hit a fierce drive past Mario Muscat.

Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

The Argentine struck again on 40 minutes. He adjusted his body superbly to connect to Jhonnattan’s cross and his overhead shot gave no chance to Muscat.

Valletta made it 3-0 a minute into the second half when Jonathan Caruana touched the ball towards Romeo Romao and the Brazilian stabbed the ball past Muscat.

Valletta were in cruise control. On 76 minutes Jhonnattann’s cross was not controlled by Umeh, with the ball falling into the path of Ian Azzopardi. The City substitute, who had just replaced Caruana, stabbed the ball past Muscat.

More woes followed for Pembroke, as two minutes later Jhonnattan finally got the goal he deserved when he sped into the area and beat Muscat from close in.

Pembroke pulled a goal back seven minutes from time when Bartkus spilled Mateus’s cross and in came Andrea Scozzese to head home.

Valletta striker Federico Falcone was voted the BOV Player of the match.