MALTA 1
M. Farrugia 20
SWITZERLAND 4
Beney 8; Lehmann 10
Folmli 39; Csillag 73
MALTA
G. D’Antuono; E. Flannery (58 S. Zammit), E. Lipman, S. Farrugia, L. Farrugia (77 K. Willis), M. Farrugia, J. Flask, M. Lucia (71 Y. Carella), B. Borg, H. Bugeja, L. Ayres (77 J. Barbara).
SWITZERLAND
L. Peng: N. Maritz, G. Reuteler, N. Riesen, S. Schertenleib (74 L. Kamber), L. Wälti, L. Wandeler (62 A. Crnogorevic), S. Folmli (46 A. Csillag), V. Calligaris, I. Beney (85 L. Egli), A. Lehmann (62 R. Xhemaili).
Referee: Jelena Medjedović (Serbia FA).
Yellow cards: Reuteler, Csillag, D’Antuono.
A much-improved performance from the Malta women’s national team ultimately proved insufficient as they suffered a second consecutive defeat in their World Cup qualifying campaign, losing 4-1 to Switzerland women’s national football team.
The Swiss side lived up to their status as group favourites, strengthening their push to top the group and return to League A while keeping their sights firmly set on securing a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Switzerland effectively settled the contest in the first half, scoring three times before the break, although Malta managed to respond in between through a well-taken goal that briefly stunned the visitors.
Despite the defeat, the hosts showed far greater organisation and attacking intent compared to their previous outing, producing a competitive display against a side ranked 25th in the FIFA rankings.
Malta head coach Manuela Tesse made several changes to her starting line-up. USA-born midfielder Emma Flannery was handed her first start for the national team, while Maya Lucia also returned to the line-up. The pair replaced Emma Xuereb and Nicole Sciberras respectively, while Leah Ayres was preferred in attack ahead of Yulya Carella.
Switzerland also rotated their side slightly, with Freiburg forward Svenja Fölmli, West Ham United’s Leila Wandeler and Leicester City winger Alisha Lehmann all included in the starting eleven.
From the outset, Malta’s 4-2-3-1 formation was clearly visible. Brenda Borg and Emma Flannery formed the double pivot in midfield, tasked with shielding the backline and initiating the build-up. Leah Ayres operated on the right flank, while Maria Farrugia took up position on the left. Haley Bugeja played in the central attacking midfield role behind Lexine Farrugia, who led the line.
Switzerland threatened early and nearly broke the deadlock after six minutes when Alishia Lehmann unleashed a shot on goal, but Giulia D’Antuono reacted well to block the effort and keep Malta level.
The respite was short-lived, however. Moments later, Switzerland took the lead through Iman Beney, who found space and curled a well-placed effort beyond D’Antuono.
The Swiss side doubled their advantage soon after when Lehmann was played through on goal and calmly slotted the ball past the Malta goalkeeper to make it 2-0.
Despite the setback, Malta showed signs of attacking intent. Maria Farrugia came close to pulling one back with a close-range effort following a free-kick delivered by Lexine Farrugia – a situation where Malta looked capable of causing problems.
Malta’s response eventually arrived in the 20th minute in spectacular fashion. Maria Farrugia caught Chelsea goalkeeper Livia Peng off guard with a clever cross-shot after latching onto a long pass from Stephania Farrugia. The ball drifted beyond Peng and into the net, reducing the deficit and momentarily stunning the Swiss defence.
Switzerland attempted to respond quickly, with Wandeler trying her luck from distance, but her effort sailed over the bar.
D’Antuono was called into action again shortly afterwards, producing a solid save to deny Beney from a free-kick as Switzerland pushed to restore their two-goal cushion. Despite their advantage, the Swiss struggled at times to impose themselves fully on the match.
Malta continued to threaten sporadically through Maria Farrugia, while D’Antuono remained busy at the other end, making several interventions as the game opened up into an end-to-end contest.
Svenja Fölmli also tested Malta from a corner-kick situation as Switzerland kept pressing for a third goal. The striker eventually found the net moments later, converting from close range to extend the visitors’ lead.
Lehmann then came close to adding a second to her tally, but her attempt was well blocked by D’Antuono, who continued to keep Malta in the contest with a series of important saves.
Early in the second half, Switzerland continued to threaten and nearly extended their lead when substitute Aurélie Csillag struck the woodwork from close range just moments after coming off the bench.
Around the hour mark, Malta coach Manuela Tesse made her first change, introducing Shona Zammit in place of Flannery in an attempt to add fresh energy and greater aggression in midfield.
Switzerland also turned to their bench, bringing on experienced Ana-Maria Crnogorčević together with Riola Xhemaili as they looked to push further forward and extend their advantage.
Xhemaili soon found herself with a golden opportunity inside the penalty area but failed to capitalise, sending her effort wide when well placed to make it 4-1.
Malta, meanwhile, tried to respond through Haley Bugeja, who attempted a shot from distance, but her effort sailed over the bar.
Csillag did find Switzerland’s fourth, though. She latched onto a long through-ball and from close-range, beat D’Antuono to the near post.