Malta got their UEFA Nations League campaign off to a perfect start with a 2-1 win away to Andorra.
It was the hosts who enjoyed the best of the early play and the they took the lead just after the quarter hour when Bonello could only block a powerful shot from Aron Rodrigo and Guillaume Lopez pounced on the rebound to put Andorra in front.
Malta’s best moment of the first half came just before the break when good link-up play between Zach Muscat and Ilyas Chouaref set up Guillaumier in front of goal who fired wide…a great chance to level gone begging,
Andorra retreated deep in the second half allowing Malta to push up but the Maltese had to wait until ten minutes from normal time to get an equalizer. Shaw found Cardona inside the box who set up Teuma, who smashed home to make it 1-1.
Malta missed a golden chance to extend their lead when Chouaref was brought down inside the box by Alexandre Martinez. Penalty. The Swiss-based winger stepped up to the spot but sent his penalty kick high over the bar.
Chouaref had a chance to make amends for that miss when he worked a good opening in the box only for keeper Alvarez to somehow get a touch.
2-1 to Malta the final score, a deserved win but work needed.
A busy week or so ahead for Malta, three consecutive home games at Ta’ Qali. First, a Friendly against Liechtenstein on Sunday (kick off 6.30pm), followed by another two Nations League encounters against Gibraltar next week Thursday (8.45pm) and Andorra on Sunday 4 October at 18h.
Photos: MFA
