Malta had to settle for a goalless draw against Lithuania, to collect their first point of this World Cup campaign. It was a much-deserved point in a typical game of two halves. While the opening 45 minutes were dominated by the guests, Malta came back strongly after the change of ends and, with a bit of luck, could have forced out a winner. Lithuania also had their moments however, hitting the woodwork at the start of the second half to make their claim for the points.
Ten of the eleven starters for Malta were the same as in the away match with Poland last March (0-2), with the returning Jodi Jones filling in the void of the suspended Ilyas Chouaref.
The Notts County winger appeared for the last time in the Malta colours in the away match with England at Wembley, in November 2023. Eighteen year old Valletta striker Keyon Ewurum made his debut for Malta with a late substitute appearance.
The most capped player was Zach Muscat, deployed at right back in his 73rd official match for Malta, while Matthew Guillaumier captained Malta for the 15th time in his career.
Lithuania, who we played last in October 2017 in another home World Cup qualifier (1-1), obtained a two all draw last March at home to Finland to get off mark in this qualification group, after a false start away at neighbours Poland (0-1).
Hot temperature and early kick off affects the match
The match was a slow-starter, with the sweltering heat of 31 degrees Celsius surely not helping for either side. Gvidas Gineitis, a regular in the Serie A with Torino and therefore perhaps Lithuania’s most known player, signed for the first shot towards goal of the match on 12 minutes, one which failed to find target, not troubling Henry Bonello who was on his 65th Malta cap.
The home side left the initiative to Lithuania, who were however rarely dangerous with centre backs James Carragher and Enrico Pepe controlling the Lithuanian forwards well.
On 36 minutes, the guests came close when Gytis Paulauskas’ grounder from the edge of the box missed target by an inch after some good work by Vykintas Slivka and Gineitis in the heart of the Maltese defence. Two minutes later, Ginetis’ attempt from another Lithuania attack resulted into a routine save by Bonello.
Malta threatened for the first time on 43 minutes when an attack set-up by Teddy Teuma and Zach Muscat, found Joseph Mbong on the left side whose shot however went wide.
But the first period remained rather uneventful, with the Lithuanians having the clear upper-hand, while Malta found it hard to find their forward-line.
Seven minutes after the re-start, barely a minute after a slick move by Josep Mbong found no-one in the Malta box, left winger Artur Dolznikov hit the top of the crossbar for the guests with an angled shot which had the better of Bonello.
Malta with improved second half display
But Malta showed more courage after the break with Jones sending Muscat through down the right flank on 55 minutes with Romanian based Lithuania goalkeeper Edvinas Gertmonas intercepting before Paul Mbong could connect.
Six minutes later, Guillaumier found Joseph Mbong who served brother Paul, producing a grounder from close-range which was turned into a corner by Gertmonas. From the resultant corner kick, Teuma served Joseph Mbong who crossed into the six-yard box with Alex Satariano coming inches close to connect.
These opportunities put Malta in the driving seat with the homeside now slowly taking over the initiative. A Camenzuli scorcher from 20-meters distance narrowly sailed wide on 65 minutes, with the guests now being pushed back into their own half for long stretches.
On 83 minutes, Teuma lost the ball in midfield with the guests attacking their way through the Maltese defence but Romualdas Jansonas’ shot was parried by Bonello’s fists. Moments later on the other side, Valletta debutant Ewurum found his way through down the left flank, passing towards Satariano whose attempt sailed inches wide.
Malta threw all on attack in the final minutes to force out the winning goal with Lithuania now withdrawing deep into their own defence. Two minutes into additional time there was a call for a handsball in the Lithuanian box but the referee waved to play on. However, the hard-working boys in red failed to find the net with both sides settling for a draw.
The national team will now travel away from our shores to face The Netherlands on Tuesday night, which will be the fourth World Cup 2026 qualifier, kick off 20h45 at the Euro Borg Stadium in Groningen.
Line ups
Malta
Henry Bonello, Zach Muscat (Juan Corbalan 85), Enrico Pepe, James Carragher, Ryan Camenzuli, Matthew Guillaumier, Joseph Mbong (Kyrian Nwoko 81), Teddy Teuma, Alex Satariano, Paul Mbong (Basil Tuma 73), Jodi Jones (Keyon Ewurum 81).
Coach: Emilio De Leo.
Lithuania
Edvinas Gertmonas, Klaudijus Upstas (Paulius Golubickas 46, Deividad Sesplaukis 73), Kipras Kazukolovas, Edgardas Utkus, Artemijus Tutyskinas, Justas Lasickas, Modestas Vorobjovas (Gratas Sirgedas 70), Gvidas Gineitis, Vykintas Slivka (Romualdas Jansonas 81), Artur Dolznikov (Fedor Cernych 70), Gytis Paulauskas.
Coach: Edgardas Jankauskas.
Referee
Marian Barbu (Romania).
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
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