MALTA GO DOWN WITH TWO SECOND HALF GOALS AGAINST PORTUGAL

UEFA European Women’s Championship 2025
09.04.2024, Centenary Stadium
MALTA ........ 0
PORTUGAL ...2
(HT 0-0)

0-1 Costa, pen, 48, 0-2 Capeta 77. 

Portugal beat Malta with two second-half goals in the second match of the European Women’s Championship at the Centenary Stadium, in which the Iberian team dominated although the local girls held their heads up high.

After a hugely impressive display away against Northern Ireland, the Maltese women were hoping for a positive result against a strong Portugal side, who scored twice after the break to collect their second three points in the campaign.

Malta had a fine chance to take the lead after just three minutes when Brenda Borg released Maria Farrugia whose shot ended up just wide. Portugal took control of the match soon after that, although the Maltese girls were holding the defensive line well.

Portugal’s first chance arrived on 20 minutes with a free kick by Francisca Nazareth that went just wide. The visitors came close to opening the scoring after 23 minutes when a glancing header by Diana Silva ended up just inches wide.

After a long period of Portuguese pressure, Francisca Nazareth had a free kick that was well saved by Janice Xuereb.

Portugal took the lead right at the start of the second half when they were awarded a penalty for a handball off Rachel Cuschieri, Carole Costa stepped up from the spot and her low shot only just beat Xuereb.

Xuereb saved a certain goal on 55 minutes when she blocked a Nazareth shot right on the line although she had to be treated at length after colliding with the post.

However, she had to be substituted a few minutes later after stopping another shot and collapsing. The Portuguese made sure of the points in 77 minutes when a cross from the right by Jessica Silva found substitute Ana Capeta, who made no mistake from close range.

Malta will now face Bosnia Herzegovina twice at the end of May and the start of June, starting with an away game in the Balkan nation.

Malta: Janice Xuereb (Patricia Ebejer 66), Ann-Marie Said, Stefania Farrugia, Kailey Willis (Nicole Sciberras 66), Rachel Cuschieri, Maria Farrugia, Shona Zammit, Charlene Zammit, Brenda Borg, Haley Bugeja (Jade Flask 90+3), Valentina Rapa (Alishia Sultana 62).
Coach: Manuela Tesse.

Portugal: Ines Pereira, Catarina Amado (Ana Capeta 72), Lucia Alves, Ana Seica, Andreia Jacinto (Joana Martins 82), Ana Borges, Jessica Silva (Carolina Mendes 90+3), Dolores Silva (Tatiana Pinto 72), Carole Costa, Diana Silva, Francisca Nazareth (Andreia Faria 82).
Coach: Francisco Neto

Referee: Katalin Sipos (HUN).