Malta’s Women’s Under-19 team delivered a controlled and professional attacking performance to defeat Kazakhstan 3-1 in their final UEFA Euro WU19 Group B6 qualifier at the Centenary Stadium on Monday.
The young Maltese side signaled their intentions from the start, linking up immediately after the kick-off, which led to an early shot from captain Lexine Farrugia that was parried by Kazakhstan goalkeeper Ayana Toktarova.
After surviving an early scare when Kazakhstan captain Nazym Aldanazar shot just over the bar, Malta found the breakthrough in the 26th minute. Following a scramble in the penalty area where multiple Maltese attempts were blocked, the ball fell to Emma Sophia Flannery, who smashed a powerful shot into the net for the 1-0 lead.
Malta maintained control, enjoying neat passages of play and threatening again before the break through Nyorah Celeste and Lexine Farrugia.
The home side exploded out of the blocks in the second half, doubling their lead almost immediately. Crista Chetcuti Ganado excellently controlled the ball before setting up Lexine Farrugia, who made no mistake, stroking the ball past the keeper in the 46th minute.
The third goal followed just minutes later (51′), with Chetcuti Ganado turning provider once more, crossing to Nyorah Celeste who tucked the ball in from close range to make it 3-0.
Kazakhstan managed to pull a goal back in the 68th minute when, following a goalmouth scuffle from a corner, Aldanazar managed to bundle the ball home.
Despite the concession, Malta remained the stronger team, seeing out the final minutes by confidently keeping possession, concluding their UEFA Euro WU19 qualifying campaign with a deserved 3-1 victory.
Match Statistics
UEFA WOMEN’S UNDER-19 CHAMPIONSHIP – GROUP B6
Date: 01.12.2025
Venue: Centenary Stadium, Ta’ Qali
| KAZAKHSTAN | 1-3 | MALTA |
| Half-Time: 0-1 |
Goal Scorers:
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Malta: Emma Sophia Flannery (26’), Lexine Farrugia (46’), Nyorah Celeste (51’)
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Kazakhstan: Nazym Aldanazar (68’)
Lineups:
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Kazakhstan: Ayana Toktarova (GK) (Didar Naken, 55’); Azhar Shoketayeva (Aizada Adilbek, 28’), Adeliya Bekkozhina, Darya Tolkachyova (Ramina Omarova, 55’), Zhanel Talasbayeva, Nazym Aldanazar (C), Elina Irismetova (Anel Dosbolova, 46’), Medina Murat (Tomiris Rakhatzhan, 55’), Aissana Zeken, Zhansezim Aissapar, Diana Sabyr.
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Coach: Zhanna Malgazhdarova
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Malta: Erika Muscat (GK); Thea Ida Scicluna, Emma Sophia Flannery, Amber Galea, Francesca Bartolo, Lexine Farrugia (C) (Shana Farrugia, 78’), Nyorah Celeste, Crista Chetcuti Ganado, Suzanne Farrugia Sacco (Ema Micallef, 66’), Lara May Azzopardi, Stella Francalanza.
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Coach: David Attard
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Match Official: Teona Sturua (GEO)
Sports Editor
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