Malta kicked off their FIFA World Cup European Qualifying campaign with a narrow 1-0 defeat against Finland in a spirited performance on Friday night.
The visitors started on the front foot, forcing an early save from Henry Bonello, who turned a shot away for a corner. However, Malta responded quickly and had their first real opportunity in the 8th minute when Joseph Mbong broke down the right and fired just wide of the post.
Four minutes later, Alexander Satariano made a brilliant solo run from the halfway line, weaving past Finnish defenders before seeing his powerful effort denied by goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky. The rebound narrowly missed the target, keeping the game goalless.
Malta continued to press, and in the 28th minute, an Ilyas Chouaref corner caused chaos in the Finnish box, but the Maltese attackers were unable to get a clean strike on goal.
Finland nearly took the lead in the 32nd minute when Joel Pohjanpalo’s header was superbly saved by Bonello, with the rebound flying over the bar. However, six minutes later, the deadlock was broken. Bonello initially saved a long-range effort, but Oliver Antman pounced on the rebound and slotted home from close range to put Finland 1-0 up.
Despite conceding, Malta remained aggressive in attack. Just before halftime, Chouaref unleashed a powerful half-volley from distance, but his strike sailed over the bar.
Malta dominates second half
At the start of the second half, Malta came out strong, launching a counter-attack where Chouaref set up Paul Mbong on the right, but his shot lacked power and was comfortably saved by Hradecky.
Malta continued to push forward, creating multiple chances but failing to find the target. In the 74th minute, Chouaref delivered a dangerous cross that found Joseph Mbong, but his effort from close range flew over the bar. Just a minute later, Kyrian Nwoko ran through on goal but dragged his left-footed shot wide.
Malta’s hopes took a major blow in the 78th minute when Kurt Shaw was shown a straight red card after a VAR review, leaving the home side with 10 men for the final stretch of the game.
Despite a late push for an equalizer, Malta was unable to break through Finland’s defense, and the match ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat.
2026 FIFA World Cup – European Qualifiers – Group G
21.03.2025, National Stadium, Ta’ Qali
MALTA 0-1 FINLAND
(HT 0-1)
Goal:
38’ Oliver Antman (FIN)
Line-ups:
Malta:
1 Henry Bonello (GK), 3 Ryan Camenzuli (14 Kyrian Nwoko 71’), 5 Kurt Shaw, 6 Matthew Guillaumier (C), 7 Joseph Mbong (2 Adam Magri Overend 83’), 9 Ilyas Chouaref, 10 Teddy Teuma, 18 James Carragher, 20 Paul Mbong (11 Basil Tuma 71’), 22 Zach Muscat (15 Myles Beerman 89’), 23 Alexander Satariano (13 Enrico Pepe 83’)
Coach: Emilio De Leo
Finland:
1 Lukas Hradecky (GK) (C), 4 Robert Ivanov, 7 Oliver Antman (22 Anssi Suhonen 82’), 9 Fredrik Jensen, 14 Kaan Kairinen, 15 Miro Tenho, 16 Matti Peltola (8 Robin Lod 46’), 17 Nikolai Alho, 18 Jere Uronen (2 Tuomas Ollila 63’), 19 Benjamin Källman (10 Teemu Pukki 71’), 20 Joel Pohjanpalo (21 Daniel Håkans 63’)
Coach: Jacob Friis
Referee: Simone Sozza (Italy)
Sports Editor
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