Malta ended their UEFA Women’s Nations League Group C2 campaign with a 0-0 draw with Andorra at the Estadi de la FAF – Andorra’s new national stadium – in Encamp on Tuesday.

After securing top spot in the group with a 1-0 win over Cyprus on Friday, coach Manuela Tesse opted to make a number of changes with Stephania Farrugia making her return after an absence of eight months following an injury while Fiona Buttigieg, Rebecca Bajada, Jana Barbara and Lexine Farrugia were all named in the starting line-up.

After a quiet start for both teams, the Maltese came close to opening the scoring on the half-hour mark when off a long-distance free kick by Rachel Cuschieri, Stephania Farrugia’s powerful header from the left saw the ball go just wide of the post. Cuschieri threatened once again three minutes later with a shot from the left, deflected by a defender and goalkeeper Alba Martin but in a swift counter-break for Andorra, Maria Ruzafa served Neus Rosas who just missed the target with Rebecca Bajada clearing the ball into safety. However, on 35 minutes, Oceane Grange almost put Malta ahead but her conclusion hit the crossbar. With two minutes to go, Nicole Sciberras tested the Andorran goalkeeper with a shot from outside the area and in added time, Stephania Farrugia headed just wide off a Rachel Cuschieri freekick from the right.

In the second half, a Lexine Farrugia direct freekick on 59 minutes was deflected by a defender and saved by Martin and three minutes later, Maria Ruzafa went close to putting the hosts ahead with a fine shot which hit the upright. In the dying minutes, Kailey Willis headed the ball just over the bar off a cross by Cuschieri and attempts by Yulya Carella and Cuschieri were saved by Andorra goalkeeper Alba Martin.

Photo courtesy of Malta FA

Andorra: Alba Martin, Tere Morato, Ariana Correia (65′ Emma Duro), Maria Da Cruz (90+1′ Marina Muelas), Maria Ruzafa (72′ Cristina Lacour), Erica Goncalves, Laia Sole, Paula Marques (72′ Zoe Planaguma), Neus Rosas, Carla Ber, Laia Sin (65′ Gemma Lluch).

Malta: Janice Xuereb (46′ Maya Cachia), Stephania Farrugia, Oceane Grange, Lexine Farrugia (84′ Leah Alice Ayres), Rachel Cuschieri, Kailey Willis, Maria Farrugia, Fiona Buttigieg (69′ Yulya Carella), Jana Barbara (69′ Charlene Zammit), Nicole Sciberras (46′ Shona Zammit), Rebecca Bajada.

Referee: Satu Miettunen (FIN)
Assistant Referees: Laura Koskinen, Jenni Paavolainen (FIN)
Fourth Official: Minka Vekkeli (FIN)