The Malta Women’s Under-17 national team opened their UEFA European Championship Round 2 campaign with an impressive 2-1 win over Lithuania, delivering a disciplined and confident performance at the Centenary Stadium.
The match began in balanced fashion, though Malta showed greater attacking intent despite challenging windy conditions. The hosts nearly broke the deadlock on 14 minutes when Isabelle Said struck the post with a well-placed effort, beating the goalkeeper but denied by the woodwork.
Malta’s breakthrough came shortly after, with Amy Catania producing a superb long-range strike that soared into the top corner to hand her side a deserved lead.
Building on that momentum, Malta continued to push forward. Amberley Borg came close to doubling the advantage on 20 minutes, narrowly missing the target, while Catania also tried her luck again from distance, sending her effort just wide.
The second goal arrived on the half-hour mark, as Borg capped off an excellent solo run by weaving past two defenders before calmly slotting the ball home to make it 2-0.
Lithuania responded early in the second half, reducing the deficit in the 52nd minute when Agata-Marija Kairyte headed in from a well-delivered cross, setting up a more competitive contest.
Clear-cut chances were scarce thereafter, although Malta nearly restored their two-goal cushion when Olivia Nazarko delivered a dangerous ball across goal that Borg just failed to connect with. Lithuania pressed late on in search of an equaliser, with substitute Shantal Korol forcing a save from goalkeeper Katelyn Camilleri, while another long-range effort drifted narrowly over the bar.
Despite the late pressure, Malta remained organised and resilient at the back to see out the win and secure a strong start to their campaign.
They will be back in action on Monday against Belarus, aiming to build on this positive result.
UEFA EUROPEAN WU17 CHAMPIONSHIP – ROUND 2
27.03.2026
Centenary Stadium, Ta Qali
Malta…2
Lithuania…1
16’ Amy Catania (MLT), 30’ Amberley Borg (MLT), 52’ Agata-Marija Kairyte (LIT)
Malta:
Katelyn Camilleri; Amy Catania, Krista Sacco (Erika Cini 86’), Martina Mendez Vazquez, Katrina Catania (Gloria Cassar 64’); Kay Axiak (Martina Vassallo 64’), Nina-Lee Naudi, Alanah Ghio; Amberley Borg (Pearl May Schembri 86’), Olivia Nazarko, Isabelle Said (Keziah Richards).
Lithuania:
Ieva Kaminskaite; Aleksandra Samoilenko, Urte Balciute (Migle Silobrtaite 79’), Ausrine Jankunaite, Elizabeth Aleksandra Dudka (Karina Zilberyte 79’); Auguste Augenaite, Agata-Marija Kairyte, Adele Stalionyte (Shantale Korol 76’), Elena Ostrauskaite, Iveta Kalvyte, Adriana Bystronovskaja (Elija Kisieliauskaite 46’).
Referee: Manon Plandsoen (Netherlands)
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