The Malta Under-21 national team defeated Andorra 2-1 in a friendly match at the Centenary Stadium on Wednesday.

A match which should serve as preparation for the UEFA Under-21 Championship qualifiers in programme in 2023 and 2024 – the draws for which are yet to be held.

Despite playing against the strong wind, Malta went close to taking the lead after just two minutes with a Zean Leonardi effort which hit the crossbar.

However, on the 21st minute, Malta took the lead thanks Mattia Veselji whose low shot from the edge of the area beat goalkeeper Mauro Rabelo.

Andorra managed to level matters three minutes from the end of the first half as Eric De Las Heras concluded a solo effort with a fierce shot from inside the area which beat goalkeeper Matthias Debono.

Malta regained the lead on the 70th courtesy of Andrea Zammit whose low shot from inside the area beat goalkeeper Marc de Castro.

Photos courtesy of www.stephengatt.com / Malta FA

MALTA Matthias Debono, Zean Leonardi, Owen Spiteri, James Vella (Karl Mohnani 63), Nikolai Micallef (Kurt Briffa 63), Matthew Debattista (Nathan Agius 63), Kurt Bondin, Aleandro Garzia, Dale Mifsud (Gianluca Sciberras 63), Andrea Zammit (Nick Cutajar 84), Mattia Veselji (Jamie Carbone 90).

ANDORRA Mauro Rabelo (Marc De Castro 46), Marco Robinat (Guillem Acosta 46), Eric De Las Heras (Daniel Cerqueira 71), Iker Alvarez (Marc Rodriguez 63), Ian Oliveira (Daniel Bienert 63), Pau Silva (Aron Rodrigo 46), Nil Linares, Alex Ferreira, Biel Borra Font (Joel Roma 63), Gerrard Sola (Eric Balastegui 46), Pau Babot.

Referee: Alex Johnson (Malta)