On March 21, 2025, Finland kicked off their World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign with a solid 1-0 victory over Malta at the Ta’Qali National Stadium. This match was significant for both teams as they aimed to start their qualifying journey positively, establishing a critical foothold in Group G, which also includes Poland and Lithuania.
Finland’s win was marked by a notable performance from Oliver Antman, who scored the only goal of the match in the 38th minute, assisted by Benjamin Kallman. The home side had plenty of opportunities to score but failed to capitalize, with Malta pushing hard for an equalizer.
Emilio De Leo, the new head coach for Malta, took the reins just before the match and emphasized a fearless approach. “It’s important that we focus on ourselves and try to approach the match without any fear,” he said, emphasizing that they needed to show an identity of play and take the field with confidence.
Prior to the match, De Leo praised his players’ determination to adapt to his football philosophy. “I have met with around 50 players, and there is great cooperation among them to learn these new ideas,” he noted. Matthew Guillaumier, a midfielder for Malta, echoed his coach’s sentiments, expressing excitement about their preparation and the impact of new players like Wigan defender James Carragher and FC Sion winger Ilyas Chouaref.
As the match unfolded, both teams had their chances, but it was Finland who struck first. After some back and forth during the game, the breakthrough came when a strike from Kallman was poorly handled by Malta’s goalkeeper Henry Bonello, allowing Antman to slam the rebound into the net. Despite Malta’s efforts, they could not convert their chances, including two worrying moments where they seemed poised to respond.
The second half saw Malta intensifying their efforts, but their hopes took a blow in the 78th minute when Kurt Shaw received a red card for a nasty challenge, severely hampering their chances of equalizing. “We wanted to put on the pitch everything we worked for, but we know that not every effort will yield immediate results in our first match together,” Guillaumier said post-match, reflecting the player’s challenge after being reduced to ten men.
Ultimately, the match concluded with Finland celebrating their point as they continued their streak of scoring in World Cup qualifiers—a run that dates back to 1966. Meanwhile, Malta will have to regroup and adapt under De Leo’s guidance before their next game against Lithuania. The coach stated, “I firmly believe our destiny is in our hands, and we have the ability to create a positive outcome moving forward.”
This match served as a wake-up call for both teams as they continue their fierce competition in the qualifiers. Malta, currently ranked 99 places below their opponents, has a long journey ahead to regain footing in world football. However, with eagerness to learn and adapt, the players and De Leo remain hopeful of better performances in the upcoming matches.
The spotlight now turns to their future games, where Malta’s determination to rise in the rankings will be tested further, particularly as they face their challenging schedule in the months to come.