GEORGIA      2

Bakradze 59

Danelia 90

MALTA          3

Farrugia 27, 44
Bugeja 30

GEORGIA

T. Gabunia; T. Matveeva (88 L. Mtskerashvili), T. Bakradze, S. Gasviani, N. Danelia, N. Pasikashvili, N. Chkhartishvili (69 S. Narsia), G. Kadagishvili, M. Kalandadze, N. Bukhrikidze (46 M. Bebia), T. Ambalia (54 I. Khaburdzania).

MALTA

J. Xuereb; E. Xuereb (90 F. Buttigieg), O. Grange, E. Lipman, M. Lucia, S. Zammit (88 J. Barbara), N. Sciberras, R. Cuschieri, H. Bugeja (90 Y. Carella), K. Willis (88 L. Farrugia), M. Farrugia.

Referee: Elvira Nurmustafina (Kazakhstan FA).

Yellow cards: Ambalia, Lipman, Willis.

Malta lived up to expectations and secured a crucial away victory against Georgia, strengthening their push for promotion in the UEFA Women’s Nations League.

Manuela Tesse’s team underlined their superiority early on, producing a dominant first-half display in which they netted all three of their goals. The performance reflected the rankings gap between the two sides, with Malta asserting control through efficient pressing and clinical finishing.

However, the second half saw Georgia fight back with two goals of their own and several other dangerous moments, exposing some familiar defensive lapses from Malta – issues also evident in previous outings against Cyprus and Andorra.

While the final scoreline confirmed Malta’s win, it arguably didn’t capture the full extent of their dominance nor the warning signs that still need addressing.

In terms of milestones, Janice Xuereb earned her 70th cap in goal, while captain Emma Lipman – who marked her 40th appearance – led the side from the back.

In the opening exchanges, Malta displayed a cautious approach, prioritizing careful possession and swift vertical passes aimed at their attacking unit, putting immediate pressure on their opponents.

However, they faced a resilient Georgian defence, characterized by disciplined tactics that effectively thwarted Malta’s attempts to penetrate their backline.

Malta capitalized on their pressure with a breakthrough moment when Haley Bugeja’s precise cross found Maria Farrugia, who expertly headed home, securing her 10th goal for the national team and giving Malta the lead.

Georgia responded with a single effort from Nino Bukhrikidze’s long-range attempt that sailed over the bar.

Undeterred, Malta extended their advantage as Bugeja seized on a loose ball and confidently fired past Gabunia, closing in on Dorianne Theuma’s all-time scoring record of 26 goals with her 22nd netting.

Malta continued to threaten, narrowly missing a third goal when Bugeja’s header went just wide, underlining their intent to further increase their lead.

Their persistence paid off as Rachel Cuschieri found Farrugia in a dangerous position, and the Sheffield United forward calmly slotted past Gabulia, notching her 11th goal for Malta.

At the break, Malta coach Tesse opted to stick with her starting XI, showing confidence in her side’s performance. Georgia, meanwhile, made an attacking change in an effort to breathe life into their offensive play.

The visitors nearly pulled one back early in the second half when Natia Danelia’s effort narrowly missed the target.

Their pressure soon paid off, however, as they capitalized on a rare defensive lapse from Lipman, with Teona Bakradze slotting into an empty net to reduce the deficit.

Malta responded by pushing forward, with Bugeja and Cuschieri both going close to restoring their two-goal cushion.

Yet, signs of defensive vulnerability began to emerge, with Lipman receiving a yellow card – ruling her out of Tuesday’s return fixture – and Bakradze missing a golden opportunity to further close the gap.

Cuschieri, currently playing for Genoa, came agonizingly close to scoring Malta’s fourth, rattling the woodwork with a powerful strike from distance.

Moments later, Zammit also tested the Georgian goalkeeper with a decent attempt.

Despite the shaky moments, Lipman made amends late on with a crucial block to deny Bakradze from point-blank range after the Georgian forward had rounded goalkeeper Xuereb.

In the final stages, Tesse handed a senior debut to Schalke 04 midfielder Jana Barbara, already a youth international, who marked a historic moment by becoming the 100th player to feature for the Malta women’s national team.

Deep in stoppage time, Georgia cut the deficit to one goal when Natia Danelia scored from the penalty spot.