The Malta women’s national team lost 5-0 to Italy in another match from Group B of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2021 qualifying round at the Stadio Teofilo Patini in Castel di Sangro on Tuesday.

The Maltese controlled their opponents well for almost half an hour but on the 26th minute, the hosts managed to take the lead thanks to a fine Valentina Cernoia freekick which beat goalkeeper Janice Xuereb.

On the 37th minute, Italy doubled the score when Stephania Farrugia slipped on the edge of the area, leaving Valentina Cernoia unmarked on the left with the Juventus striker hitting past the Malta goalkeeper.

Italy maintained the pressure and three minutes from the end of the first half, they scored the third goal thanks to Daniela Sabatino who slotted the ball past Xuereb from close range following an assist by Cristiana Girelli from the right.

The first half was not over yet as on the 45th minute, Manuela Giugliano scored the fourth goal with a powerful drive from outside the area which gave the Malta goalkeeper no chance.

Italy were reduced to ten on the 71st minute when Manuela Giugliano receied a second yellow card after leaving the field of play without the referee’s permission.

However three minutes in added time, substitute Giada Greggi added another goal with a powerful rising shot which ended in the top left corner.

ITALY Laura Giuliani, Aurora Galli (57′ Giada Greggi), Elena Linari, Manuela Giugliano, Martina Rosucci, Daniela Sabatino (68′ Stefania Tarenzi), Cristiana Girelli, Elisa Bartoli (46′ Valentina Bergamaschi), Laura Fusetti, Lisa Boattin, Valentina Cernoia.

MALTA Janice Xuereb, Emma Lipman, Stephania Farrugia (46′ Nicole Sciberras), Dorianne Theuma, Rachel Cuschieri (46′ Ann Marie Said), Alishia Sultana (72′ Emma Xuereb), Maria Farrugia, Shona Zammit, Jade Flask, Charlene Zammit, Brenda Borg.

Referee: Eleni Antoniou (GRE)