Playing in extreme frosty, windy conditions and a temperature of -2 degrees at the Vasil Levski Stadium, Malta was no match for Bulgaria, suffering a heavy 6-0 defeat in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
The unusual weather definitely left its mark but defensive errors by the Maltese also played a very important role as the Bulgarians dominated from start to finish to extend their positive run to five matches without defeat and a second place in Group B behind leaders Italy.
The match was played behind closed doors due to sanctions by FIFA against Bulgaria after racist abuse towards a Danish player in another World Cup qualifier.
Photos: Copyright © Paul Zammit Cutajar
Malta coach Pietro Ghedin opted to start with Andrew Hogg in goal, leaving Alex Muscat, Gareth Sciberras and Andrew Cohen out of the starting line-up and including Jonathan Caruana, Ryan Fenech and Roderick Briffa.
The hosts could not have a better start, taking the lead after just six minutes through Aleksandar Tonev after just six minutes with a shot from the right from a dubious offside position.
There was no reaction by the Maltese and the Bulgarians had attempts by Ivelin Popov and Emil Gargorov which were both saved by Hogg.
Bulgaria doubled the score on 37 minutes thanks to a long-distance shot by Aleksandar Tonev which was not held by the Maltese custodian with the ball going under his body, ending at the back of the net.
Emil Gargorov had a fine effort neutralised by Hogg a minute later and just before the break, Georgi Iliev tried his luck with a shot from outside the area which sailed over the bar.
Two minutes in the second half, Bulgaria scored the third goal as Iliya Milanov served Ivelin Popov from the left and the latter tapped the ball home from close range.
Eight minutes later, Emil Gargorov increased the lead further to make it 4-0. Luke Dimech lost possession to Vladimir Gadzhev just outside the area and served Gargorov who hit the ball past Hogg with the ball ending in the bottom right corner.
Aleksandar Tonev crowned his fine performance with another goal for a hat-trick on the 58th minute as he received a good pass by Georgi Iliev and beat the Malta goalkeeper with another long-distance shot.
Ivan Ivanov sealed the issue with a sixth goal, beating Hogg from close range twelve minutes from time after the Maltese custodian managed to deflect a cross by Nikolay Bodurov onto the bar.
Photos: Copyright © Paul Zammit Cutajar
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BULGARIA Nikolay Mihaylov, Nikolay Bodurov, Yordan Minev (63′ Radoslav Dimitrov), Ivelin Popov, Veselin Minev, Ivan Ivanov, Georgi Milanov, Vladimir Gadzhev (70′ Georgi Sarmov), Aleksandar Tonev, Georgi Iliev, Emil Gargorov (56′ Valeri Bozhinov).
MALTA Andrew Hogg, Jonathan Caruana, Andrei Agius (56′ Ryan Camilleri), Luke Dimech, Roderick Briffa, Michael Mifsud, Clayton Failla, Andre Schembri, Paul Fenech (70′ Rowen Muscat), Edward Herrera, Ryan Fenech.
Referee: Eitan Shemeulevitch (ISR)
Assistant Referees: Danny Krasikov, David Biton (ISR)
Fourth Official Menashe Masiah (ISR)