The Malta women’s national team clinched promotion to League B of the UEFA Women’s Nations League thanks to a 1-0 win over Cyprus in a match from Group C2 at the National Stadium in front of a record crowd.
With each team yet to playing their final match on Tuesday, Malta moved five points ahead of second-placed Cyprus with Georgia lying in third placed ahead of bottom-placed Andorra.
For Malta this was the second promotion in the UEFA Women’s Nations League following the historic promotion in the first edition in 2023.
Malta created the better chances in the opening period with Maria Farrugia and Haley Bugeja going close to finding the net.
Rachel Cuschieri missed a good opportunity when all alone in front of the goalkeeper, hitting wide.
The Maltese opened the scoring three minutes from the end of the first half when Emma Xuereb intercepted a ball on the left in midfield and set up Haley Bugeja who rounded two defenders before beating Matthaiou.
Just before the end of the first half, Malta went close again when off a corner by Shona Zammit from the right, Bugeja’s low shot was blocked and Emma Lipman had a fine shot turned into a corner by the Cypriot goalkeeper.
Malta started the second half on the attack with Maria Farrugia again testing the Cypriot defence.
Haley Bugeja was busy, her shot on goal blocked and Shona Zammit who reacted quickly hit just over the bar.
The better chances fell to Malta who really should have increased their lead but they limited Cyprus to a few isolated chances to seal the win and that vital promotion to League B.
