Hibernian overturned a deficit to defeat city rivals Hearts 2-1 in a dramatic Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden Park. Despite falling behind to an early header, Hibs, who entered the match as underdogs, rallied with goals from Martin Boyle and Jamie McGrath to secure their place in the final.
Hermoso opened the scoring for Hearts with a header in the early stages of the match. However, Hibs responded with an equalizer from Martin Boyle, who scored with a low shot that found the net off the post. Jamie McGrath then secured the victory for Hibs by scoring from a rebound.
Hermoso's early goal set the tone for Hearts, but they were unable to hold onto their lead. Despite second-half pressure, including missed chances by Hermoso to force extra time, Hibs' defense held firm.
Individually, Joe Newell was highlighted for his crucial positive and probing work in midfield during the first half, which set up the team's second goal. Newell's performance earned him a team-high rating of 8. Martin Boyle was also instrumental, transforming the game with his timely equalizer and earning a rating of 7.5. For Hearts, goalkeeper Beau Reuss made several saves and received a rating of 7.5 despite being unable to prevent the two goals.
Hearts experienced significant disruption due to injuries. Tomas Magnusson left the field early with a head knock after 14 minutes, and Calvin Miller also hobbled off before halftime. These early departures impacted Hearts' midfield stability and tactical options throughout the remainder of the match.
Hibs will now face Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup final next month. The semi-final victory is a significant achievement for Hibs, who were considered the underdogs against their rivals.