Malta sink to defeat against superior Northern Ireland

UEFA Women's European Qualifier 2025
League B Group 3

12.07.2024
Centenary Stadium, Ta’ Qali

MALTA...0
NORTHERN IRELAND...2
(HT 0-1)

Emma Lipman, own goal, 10, Kerry Beattie 80.

The Maltese women were looking for a win in their final home game of the UEFA European Women’s Championship, having already earned a point away from home against Northern Ireland. However, the team of coach Manuela Tesse were humbled down by the visitors, who bagged an important three points in their quest for qualification.

The home side started well and came close after just three minutes when Haley Bugeja pounced on a loose ball in the box, but her effort ended up wide. Barely a minute later, Kailey Willis had an excellent header that was tipped over by Burns. But catastrophically for Malta, Emma Lipman scored an own goal on ten minutes after a miscued back pass which surprised Patricia Ebejer.

The match quietened down after that unfortunate incident for Malta although the locals still retained the initiative. Malta suffered a setback when Hailey Bugeja had to be substituted on 34 minutes after suffering an injury. Northern Ireland should have doubled the score on 36 minutes, but Ebejer was brilliant, saving two point blank efforts.

The second half was most definitely less eventful with both sides short of any inventiveness with the Irish girls easily controlling Malta’s rather muted efforts. Ten minutes from time, the visitors doubled the score with Kerry Beattie drilling a fine low shot past Ebejer to seal the win. 

Malta
Patricia Ebejer, Anne-Marie Said, Emma Lipman (Valentina Rapa 86), Stefania Farrugia, Rachel Cuschieri (Gabriella Zahra 90), Kailey Willis (Lexine Farrugia 86), Maria Farrugia, Shona Zammit, Charlene Zammit (Emma Xuereb 86), Brenda Borg, Haley Bugeja (Maya Lucia 34’)

Northern Ireland
Jacqueline Burns, Rebecca McKenna, Rachel Dugdale, Brenna McPartlan, Laura Rafferty, Keri Halliday (Danielle Maxwell 86), Rebecca Holloway, Nadene Caldwell, Louise McDaniel (Joely Andrews 70), Kerry Beattie, Casey Howe (Lauren Wade 86)

Referee Cansu Tryak (Turkey)

Attendance 652