A goal towards the end of the first half handed Finland a narrow win over Malta in a match from Group G of the European Qualifiers leading to the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Playing the first game under the leadership of new head coach Emilio De Leo, the locals left a good impression but unfortunately the team failed to make the most of the chances they created. Late in the game, Malta had Kurt Shaw sent off.
Apart from De Leo, also making their debut for Malta were James Carragher and Ilyas Chouaref.
De Leo started with Henry Bonello in goal, with four defenders at the back – Zach Muscat, James Carragher, Kurt Shaw and Ryan Camenzuli. Joseph Mbong and Ilyas Chouaref were employed on the wings with Matthew Guillaumier and Alexander Satariano in midfield as Teddy Teuma supported Paul Mbong up front.
photos courtesy of www.stephengatt.com
Finland had the first attempt at goal after just one minute with Kallman testing Bonello from outside the area and the Malta goalkeeper deflected the ball into a corner. From the resulting corner by Alho was saved by Bonello.
Malra replied with a perfect pass by Teddy Teume for Joseph Mbong on the right on 8 minutes and the latter entered the area, hitting just wide with a diagonal shot.
Alho had a shot from outside the area partially saved by Bonello on 9 minutes and three minutes later, Satariano had a brilliant run on the left flank, entering the area and serving Paul Mbong who hit just wide. On 16 minutes, a good move between Teuma, Guillaumier and Paul Mbong ended with the Birkirkara forward testing Hradecky with a shot from outside the area.
On 28 minutes, a corner by Chouaref from the left created havoc inside the area with Muscat having a blocked attempt and finally Shaw’s effort was neutralised by the Finland goalkeeper.
Three minutes later, off a cross by Antman from the right, Pohjanpalo’s header was blocked by Bonello and Kallman hit high off the rebound. Then on 36 minutes, Kallman headed the ball over the bar off a cross from the right by Jensen.
Finland forged ahead on 36 minutes when Kallman had a powerful shot from outside the area blocked by Bonello and off the rebound, Oliver Antman placed the ball at the back of the net.
Malta replied with a great volley by Chouaref on 44 minutes which ended just over the bar.
Three minutes in the second half, Chouaref concluded a fine run with a cross for Paul Mbong whose shot was blocked by a defender into a corner.
Teuma tested Hradecky with a corner from the right and then on 74 inutes, Malta went close to equalising with Joseph Mbong concluding just over the bar off a cross by Chouaref. On 76 minutes, Chouaref sent Kyrian Nwoko through but his diagoal shot from the left scraped past the post.
Malta was reduced to ten men on 78 minutes after Kurt Shaw was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Kairinen after VAR review as he was initially just cautioned.
The locals still tried to push for the equaliser and five minutes in added time, Basil Tuma tested the Finland goalkeeper with a header from the left off an inviting cross by Chouaref.
The next commitment for Malta is a game against Poland on Monday away from home. Poland defeated Lithuania 1-0 in another match on Friday thanks to a goal by Robert Lewandowski.
MALTA Henry Bonello, Ryan Camenzuli (71’ Kyrian Nwoko), Kurt Shaw, Matthew Guillaumier, Joseph Mbong (83’ Adam Magri Overend), Ilyas Chouaref, Teddy Teuma, James Carragher, Paul Mbong (71’ Basil Tuma), Zach Muscat (89’ Myles Beerman), Alexander Satariano (83’ Enrico Pepe).
FINLAND Lukas Hradecky, Robert Ivanov, Oliver Antman (82’ Anssi Suhonen), Fredrik Jensen, Kaan Kairinen, Miro Tenho, Matti Peltola (46’ Robin Lod), Nikolai Alho, Jere Uronen (63’ Tuomas Olilla), Benjamin Kallman Teeumu, Joel Pohjanpalo (63’ Daniel Hakans).
Referee: Simone Sozza ITA
Assistant Referees: Giovanni Baccini, Davide Imperiale ITA
Fourth official: Andrea Colombo ITA
Video Assistant Referee: Gianluca Aureliano ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Rosario Abisso ITA