Malta were held in a goalless draw by Andorra in the final match from Group D2 of the UEFA Nations League at the National Stadium on Tuesday.
Following Moldova’s last-gasp win over Andorra on Saturday, Malta’s fate was already sealed – a runner-up spot and a place in the League C/D play-offs in March 2026 – but Malta was still aiming to end its commitments with a win. However the dismissal of Gabriel Mentz aftter just eighteen minutes complicated matters for Davide Mazzotta’s side.
Mazzotta opted to start with Henry Bonello in goal. Kurt Shaw, Gabriel Mentz and Jean Borg at the back, Joseph Mbong and Ryan Camenzuli on the flanks, Matthew Guillaumier and Teddy Teuma in midfield with Trent Buhagiar and Paul Mbong supporting Jurgen Degabriele.
Malta had a first attempt at goal on 12 minutes Trent Buhagiar controlled the ball on the right, serving Joseph Mbong with a perfect back heel with the latter’s low shot saved.
Six minutes later, the team received a major setback as Gabriel Mentz was sent off by referee Luka Bilbija – after VAR review – after hitting Albert Rosas.
Mazzotta was forced to substitute Degabriele with Enrico Pepe in order to strengthen the rear-guard.
On 28 minutes, the visitors went close to taking the lead thanks to Albert Rosas who controlled a long-distance cross from the left, but his attempt hit the crossbar. Six minutes later, Rosas tested Bonello with an angled shot from the right but the ball was turned onto the crossbar and into a corner.
After losing Ryan Camenzuli injured, Malta replied with a perfect assist by Teuma for Joseph Mbong on 36 minutes but his close range effort was turned into a corner in style by Alvarez. One minute later, there was no one to connect off an inviting cross by Guillaumier from the right.
Source: Malta Football
Photo: Malta Football Stephen Gatt
