Portugal beat Malta by three goals to one in the final match from Group B3 of the Women’s European Championship at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria on Tuesday.
Manuela Tesse’s girls were hoping to end their commitments with a positive result. However, Portugal took the lead after just 7 minutes when a fine cross by Tatiana Pinto found Ana Capeta who made no mistake volleying past Patricia Ebejer.
But Malta did not take things lying down and managed to equalize after just 17 minutes when a shot by Maria Farrugia took a huge deflection and beat Portugal custodian Morais. But ten minutes later, Portugal retook the lead when Capeta found Ribeiro with a fine pass with the lanky forward slotting past Ebejer.
The second half was a rather muted affair with Malta comfortably controlling Portugal’s advances. The home-side had more chances to increase their lead but the Maltese defence held firm. However, three minutes from time, Portugal sealed the points when a fine cross by Erncanacao found Jessica Silva who concluded with ease from close range.
Portugal Patricia Morais, Catarina Amado (Ana Borges 57), Alicia Correia, Ana Seica, Stephanie Ribeiro (Jessica Silva 57), Andreia Norton, Tatiana Pinto (Dolores Silva 57), Carole Costa, Joana Martins (Andreia Jacinto 73), Ana Rodrigues, Ana Capeta (Telma Encarnacao 84).
Malta Patricia Ebejer (Maya Cachia 46), Ann-Marie Said (Emma Xuereb 46), Emma Lipman, Rachel Cuschieri (Jade Flask 90+2’, Kailey Willis, Maria Farrugia, Maya Lucia (Sara Saliba 72), Shona Zammit, Charlene Zammit (Valentina Rapa 72), Brenda Borg.
Referee Jelena Medjedovic (Serbia)
