Malta women produced an excellent first half performance to practically sew up a victory in their UEFA Nations League away match against Georgia. The home side managed to reduce the deficit in the second half, but the Maltese women held firm for an important three points.
Georgia started on the front foot with a shot by Tatiana Matveeva that was easily saved by Janice Xuereb on 3 minutes. On 20 minutes Malta had a good chance when Haley Bugeja found Maria Farrugia in the box but Tatia Gabunia managed to rush out and anticipate the Sheffield United player.
Malta took a deserved lead on 26 minutes when a fine cross by Haley Bugeja picked out Maria Farrugia who rose imperiously to head home past a hapless Gabunia. Three minutes later it was 2-0 for Malta with a superb individual move by Haley Bugeja who smashed a strong shot into the net.
Malta continued dominating and came close again on 41 minutes with a header by Emma Lipman that ended up just wide. But a couple of minutes later it was 3-0 with a superb move when the speedy Maria Farrugia was put through and smashed past Gabunia for her brace and practically the points for Malta.
Georgia come back in second half but Malta holds on
Malta almost made it 4 right at the start of the second half but Maria Farrugia’s shot ended up just wide. However, it was Georgia who managed to reduce the arrears on 59 minutes when an error by Emma Lipman found Tatiana Matveeva who squared to Teona Bakhraze, who made no mistake.
Malta should made have made it 4 on 69 minutes when a shot by Haley Bugeja was well saved by Gabunia with Rachel Cuschieri shooting the ball wide with an open goal. Georgia missed a glorious chance on 72 minutes when Bakhraze once again was in the clear, but the forward inexplicably steered the ball wide.
Rachel Cuschieri was desperately unlucky on 80 minutes when her scorcher from outside the box smashed against the crossbar. On 83 minutes it was Kailey Willis who had a good effort saved by Gabunia.
Georgia had another fine chance on 85 minutes when Bakhraze managed to round Janice Xuereb but a brilliant Emma Lipman stopped her in her tracks. Deep in stoppage time, Georgia reduced the deficit further through a penalty converted by Natia Danelia after Maiko Bebia’s first effort was saved by Xuereb with the referee ordering the spot kick retaken.
Match stats:
2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup – UWNL League Stage – Grp C2
Mikheil Meskhi-2 / Tbilisi / Georgia
04.04.2025 17:00 CEST
Georgia………………………………2
Malta……………………………..3
(HT 0-3)
Maria Farrugia 26’, 43’ Haley Bugeja 29’, Teona Bakhraze 59’, Natia Danelia pen (90+5’)
Georgia: Tatia Gabunia CP, Gvantsa Kadagishvili, Nino Pasikashvili (Sopiko Narsia 68’), Nino Chkhartishvili, Natia Danelia, Tatiana Matveeva (Lizi Mtskerashvili), Teona Bakradze, Tinatin Ambalia (Irina Khaburdzania 55’), Salome Gasviani, Nino Bukhrikidze (Maiko Bebia 46’), Mariam Kalandadze
Malta: Xuereb Janice Lipman Emma Louise CP, Grange Oceane Virginie, Cuschieri Rachel, Farrugia Maria, Willis Kailey (Farrugia Lexine 87’), Lucia Maya, Zammit Shona (Barbara Jana 87’), Xuereb Emma, Sciberras Nicole, Bugeja Haley (Buttigieg Fiona 90+5’)
Referee: Elvira Nurmustafina (KAZ)
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