Italy scored four goals in the last eleven minutes to beat Malta 5-0 in a women’s international friendly match at the Stadio Tre Fontane in Rome on Friday.

Malta coach Manuela Tesse was unable to field her best formation due to the absence of a number of players, including goalkeeper Janice Xuereb, Stephania Farrugia, Ann-Marie Said, Jade Flask and Rachel Cuschieri.

The hosts, currently ranked number 14 in the world, took the lead after just seven minutes when off a cross from the right by Emma Severini, Cristiana Girelli headed the ball home past goalkeeper Patricia Ebejer.

Italy maintained the pressure but the Maltese managed to control their opponents for long stretches, until eleven minutes from time, Severini provided an assist from the right and Sofia Cantore beat the Malta goalkeeper.

Five minutes from time, Benedetta Glionna, served on the right, beat substitute goalkeeper Raisa Costantino with a low shot and two minutes later, Italy scored the fourth goal when Valentina Giacinti’s low shot from the left was deflected by Mariah Cardona for an own goal.

Finally on 89 minutes, Sofia Cantore, who had just hit the woodwork with a shot from outside the area, added another with a powerful shot which was not held by Costantino.

ITALIA: Laura Giuliani; Elisa Bartoli (18′ Maria Luisa Filangeri), Martina Lenzini (46′ Lucia Di Guglielmo), Julie Piga, Angelica Soffia; Benedetta Glionna, Emma Severini, Giada Greggi (61′ Eva Schatzer), Agnese Bonfantini (70′ Sofia Cantore); Cristiana Girelli (61′ Valentina Giacinti), Chiara Beccari (70′ Eleonora Goldoni).

MALTA: Patricia Ebejer (81′ Raisa Costantino); Charlene Zammit, Nicole Sciberras, Emma Lipman (75′ Valentina Rapa), Emma Xuereb; Shona Zammit (75′ Veronique Mifsud), Brenda Borg, Alisha Cassar; Kailey Willis, Maria Farrugia (82′ Mariah Cardona), Haley Bugeja.

Referee: Ioanna Allayyaiotou CYP