Malta stay on right track after comeback win over Andorra

UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE14.11.2020, National Stadium, Ta’ QaliGroup stage - League D - Group 1MALTA         3ANDORRA 1(HT 0-1)Rebes 4’, Garcia (og) 55’, Degabriele 58’, Dimech 90+3. Malta achieved a deserved 3-1 win over Andorra in a UEFA Nations League Group D1 match this evening, showing resilience and playng flowing football as they came from a goal down to secure victory in the second half. The national team have thus extended their unbeaten run to six games, taking their tally in Group D1 to eight points go into Tuesday's final match against Faroe Islands. There were two changes in the Malta team compared to the last Nations League match against Latvia last month. Malta had to do without the suspended Steve Borg with Karl Micallef deputising in defence. Jurgen Degabriele replaced Paul Mbong up front. Andorra took an early third-minute lead in practically their only chance in the first half. A free-kick from the right caused a scramble inside the Malta box and Marc Rebes took advantage with his low shot beating Henry Bonello. From then on it was Malta on the attack. On 13 minutes, Luke Montebello came close to equalising after an inch-perfect pass from Joseph Mbong but his attempt from close range sailed just over. In the 29th minute, a Teddy Teuma scorcher hit the crossbar. Six minutes later, a Ryan Camenzuli cross from the left changed direction via an Andorran defender and goalkeeper Josep Gomes blocked the deflected attempt with difficulty.Malta drew level on 55 minutes thanks to an own goal by Emili Garcia after a corner by Teuma. Three minutes later it was Jurgen Degabriele who put Malta 2-1 up, beating Gomes with a header from a cross by Luke Gambin as the red-shirted players maintained their dominance. Malta kept creating chances, coming close to extending the lead via Montebello and Camenzuli. Andorra tried to create some goal threat but the Maltese defense stood firm. Deep into added time, Malta put the result beyond doubt, adding goal number three. From  a fast counter-attack involving substitutes Alex Satariano and Jake Grech, Shawn Dimech, another substitute, drove the ball behind Gomes with a low effort at the far corner. This evening, Latvia and Faroe Islands play in Riga in the other Group D1 match (Kick off 18h). MALTAH. Bonello, R. Camenzuli, A. Agius, K. Shaw, K. Micallef, J. Mbong, M. Guillaumier (S. Pisani 84), T. Teuma,  L. Gambin (S. Dimech 89), J. Degabriele (J. Grech 89), L. Montebello (A. Satariano 75). ANDORRAJ. Gomes, E. Garcia, A. Alavedra, J. Cervos, C .Martinez (V. Bernat 77), M. Rebes (L. Blanco 77), M. Vieira, M. San Nicolas, A. Martinez (L. San Nicolas 69), R. Fernandez (A. Sanchez 69), J.A laez. YELLOW CARDSMontebello (M), Vieira, Alavedra (A) Referee: Peter Kralovic (Slovakia)