Malta got their first three points in Group C2 of the UEFA Women’s Nations League after a hard-fought 1-0 win against Andorra at the Centenary Stadium on Tuesday 25th February 2025.
Malta started the game on the front foot, having a steady amount of possession and looking to attack straight away.
Their efforts paid off immediately, as in the 11th minute, a cross from Haley Bugeja found Alishia Cassar, yet her effort was blocked, before falling to Shona Zammit, who fired the ball into the net from the rebound to give Malta the lead.
Malta came close to doubling their lead in the 16th minute, with Bugeja finding space on the edge of the penalty area, before trying her luck from distance with a curling effort that went just above the bar.
In the 19th minute, Lexine Farrugia delivered an excellent cross from the left wing, finding Bugeja, yet she could not divert the ball into the net, with her effort grazing the bar.
The home side were close to finding the net again, as a cross from a Rachel Cuschieri free-kick found Emma Limpan, but her effort from close range went straight into the hands of Andorra goalkeeper Alba Martin.
Malta remained in control over the remaining minutes of the half, with Andorra struggling to get out of their half, but Malta could not add to their scoring, and it remained 1-0 at the break.
The start to the second-half was more even, with Andorra growing in confidence and battling for more balls in midfield.
Midway through the second-half, L. Farrugia skipped past her marker, before firing a cross in the danger area, yet there was nobody on the end of the pass.
However, Andorra were becoming more threatening as the game wore on, as the away side started to win more of the duels in midfield, yet they could not muster any opportunities on goal.
Malta were happy to retain possession in the closing stages, holding off any pressure from Andorra to see out the 1-0 win, earning their first three points in this edition of the UEFA Women’s Nations League.
Malta
1 Janice Xuereb (GK), 4 Emma Lipman (16 Charlene Zammit 46’), 5 Oceane Grange, 7 Lexine Farrugia, 8 Rachel Cuschieri (C), 9 Alishia Cassar (3 Jade Flask 46’), 10 Maria Farrugia, 13 Maya Lucia, 14 Shona Zammit, 15 Fiona Buttigieg (18 Emma Xuereb 59’), 21 Haley Bugeja (20 Nicola Sciberras 81’)
Coach: Manuela Tesse
Andorra
23 Alba Martin (GK), 2 Zoe Pianaguma (19 Carla Ber 71’), 4 Aitana Colobrans, 6 Teresa Armengol, 10 Maria Ruzafa (11 Ariadna Pernia 62’), 13 Erica Gonçalves (C), 14 Laia Sole Palau, 15 Paula Marques (7 Ariana Correia 62’), 17 Chloe Izquierdo, 18 Neus Rosas, 20 Laia Sin
Coach: Albert Panadero Garcia
Referee: Teresa Oliveira (POR)
Yellow cards: Shona Zammit, Charlene Zammit (MLT), Ariana Correia (AND)
Source: MFA
Photo: Andre Farrugia
