Galaxy FC completed a perfect Group B campaign at the 2026 OFC Men’s Champions League with a dominant 7-1 victory over Tupapa Maraerenga, while hosts Rewa FC came from behind to defeat Lae City FC 2-1 and secure the second semi-final place.
Galaxy entered the final round already assured of progression, but there was no drop in intensity from the Vanuatu champions. After Tupapa frustrated them during the opening stages, Galaxy eventually broke through in the 25th minute when an own goal gave them the lead.
Joe Moses doubled the advantage shortly before half-time, driving a low effort past goalkeeper Tahiri Elikana in the 41st minute to send Galaxy into the break 2-0 ahead.
The match was effectively decided within the opening minutes of the second half. Willian Dos Santos Medina headed home from Selwyn Vatu’s cross in the 47th minute before Roberson Dos Santos Ribeiro added another just two minutes later.
Medina struck again in the 55th minute, racing onto a long pass from Armando Ravo and lifting his finish over Elikana.
The Brazilian then completed another remarkable hat-trick in the 70th minute. After seeing his initial effort saved, Medina reacted quickest to the rebound to score his ninth goal of the tournament.
It was his third hat-trick in as many matches, following trebles against Rewa and Lae City earlier in the group stage.
Tupapa continued to compete and eventually found a deserved consolation through Tremaine Rimene-Albrett in the 88th minute. The Cook Islands forward curled an excellent free kick into the corner to score his third goal of the tournament.
Galaxy still had time to add a seventh, with Michel Soksok finishing from Joe Moses’ pass in stoppage time to complete the 7-1 victory.
The result saw Galaxy finish Group B with nine points from nine, scoring 14 goals across their three matches and confirming their position as group winners.
The second match carried significantly greater consequences, with Rewa and Lae City meeting in a direct battle for the remaining semi-final place.
Lae City entered the contest knowing a draw would be enough due to their superior goal difference, while Rewa needed a victory.
Despite Rewa starting on the front foot, it was Lae City who took the lead after 15 minutes. Solomon Kamake drove forward on the counterattack and the loose ball eventually fell to Raphael Rudolph, who fired a low effort through the defence and into the net.
Rewa responded strongly and found the equaliser in first-half stoppage time. Captain Kavaia Rawaqa received the ball from Delon Shankar, shifted onto his left foot and produced an excellent long-range strike that went in off the post.
With qualification still hanging in the balance, Rewa completed the turnaround seven minutes after the restart.
A move involving Tevita Waranaivalu and Joseph Athale created danger inside the Lae City area before the ball eventually fell to Merrill Nand, whose low shot found its way through a crowded penalty area and past Ronald Warisan to make it 2-1.
Lae City pushed forward in search of the equaliser that would have sent them through and came agonisingly close deep into stoppage time. Substitute Smith Yonny cut inside from the left and struck a powerful effort that crashed against the underside of the crossbar and bounced away.
Rewa survived the late pressure to claim the victory and secure their place in the last four.
Galaxy finish Group B on nine points, followed by Rewa on six. Lae City end their campaign with three points, while Tupapa Maraerenga leave the competition without a point despite scoring in all three of their matches.
Galaxy will now face the runner-up from Group A in Wednesday’s semi-final, while Rewa will meet the Group A winners at Four R Stadium in Ba.
Oceania Football Center 