FT Malta 0-2 Italy
Last five minutes.
In comes James Brown, out goes Apap.
80 mins; Big chance. Mbong’s close range shot blocked by Emerson. Let- off for Italy.
More changes for Malta. Marcolini brings off Muscat and Jones, brings on Shaun Dimech and Teddy Teuma.
Powerful run down right by Yankam, whips in cross.. Donnarumma just nicks it off the head of Nwoko.
69 mins. Italy win corner. Bonello does so well to push ball away. Italy seem to have second wind. They were asleep for a while. Now they are pushing Malta back. Is there another goal in this game.?
Mancini makes come changes. Retegul and Tonali off, in comes Verratti and Scamacca.
64 mins: Change for Malta. Attard and Satariano out, in comes Zach Muscat and Kyrian Nwoko.
57 mins. Malta corner. panic in Italy box as they cannot clear ball. Malta just cannot find space for shot. Donnarumma somehow manages to grab ball..what a let-off for Italy. Malta are giving this a real go….
Jones sets off on another run down left. He is stopped by Scalvini. Yellow card. Great place for free kick…OH what a waste.
Malta start this second half with a it more endeavour. they are pushing Italy back. Corbolan works an opening but his shot is well wide.
2nd Half. Here we go. Can Malta find a way back into game. Can they halt Italy?
HT: Malta 0-2 Italy.
45 mins. A moment for Malta as Jodi James makes strong run into Italy’s area. Cannot finish though. Pity. 3 minutes extra time.
40 mins: Italy piling on pressure, they want another goal before the break. Three corners on the trot…Malta holding firm. Can they make it to half time without conceding again.
30 mins. Italy more confident now. What a stop. Grifo in front of goal. Point blank save by Bonello…wow. simply brilliant. Malta need to stay focussed
27 mins: GOAL. Pessina takes advantage as Malta fail to clear the ball. Malta 0-2 Italy…
20 mins. Problem for Italy. Gnoto goes down. did he pull hamstring. his game is over. in comes Grifo.
15 mins: Italy corner. GOAL. Retegul header. Malta 0-1 Italy….now, can Malta regain their composure and settle.
5 mins. Big moment. Malta start great move in their half. Mbong perfect pass finds Satariano, his shot just tipped over for corner..Great start by Malta. They have a packed Ta’Qali behind them….
2 mins: Yankam and Politano collide. Yankam needs bit of the magic sponge. Good to see him back on his feet.
Malta v Italy kick-off
